Srinagar, Jan 11: A gripping cold wave has tightened its hold over Kashmir, with minimum temperatures plummeting several degrees below freezing and clear skies triggering the freeze of Dal Lake’s edges and other water bodies, officials reported Sunday.
Srinagar logged a low of minus 5.2°C Saturday night—a slight rebound from minus 5.7°C the night before—but Thursday’s minus 6°C remains the season’s chilliest for the summer capital.
South Kashmir’s Shopian emerged coldest in the Valley at minus 8.6°C. Pahalgam, a key Amarnath Yatra base, hit minus 7.6°C. Gulmarg, the premier ski haven in Baramulla, recorded minus 6.2°C (up from minus 6.8°C). Sonamarg in Ganderbal stayed milder at minus 4.3°C.
Gateway town Qazigund shivered at a seasonal record minus 5.8°C, Kokernag at minus 3.4°C, and Kupwara at minus 5.6°C.
Kashmir is deep into ‘Chilla-i-Kalan’—the 40-day peak winter gauntlet from December 21 to January 30—when nights routinely dive below freezing and snowfall odds peak. Yet, Valley plains have seen no snow this season, heightening water scarcity fears for summer.
The India Meteorological Department forecasts dry but cloudy conditions until January 21, offering no immediate relief from the freeze.
