Srinagar, Jan 14: Kashmir remains gripped by a severe cold wave, with temperatures consistently staying well below freezing, according to Meteorological Department officials. The region is expected to experience mostly dry conditions in the coming days, though there is a chance of light snow in some higher areas on January 15 and 16.
On Monday night, Srinagar recorded a slight increase in the minimum temperature, which rose to minus 4.1°C from minus 5.1°C the previous night. Meanwhile, Gulmarg, the popular ski resort in North Kashmir, saw a low of minus 6.2°C, up from minus 6.5°C the night before.
In the south, Pahalgam, a key base for the Amarnath Yatra pilgrimage, experienced a temperature of minus 7.8°C, slightly better than the minus 8.4°C recorded the previous night. Other parts of the valley also faced severe cold, with Qazigund at minus 5.6°C, Konibal in Pampore at minus 5.5°C, Kupwara at minus 4.7°C, and Kokernag at minus 3.4°C.
The region is currently in the midst of ‘Chillai-Kalan,’ Kashmir’s harshest 40-day winter spell, which began on December 21. This phase is characterized by frequent snowfall and sharp temperature drops. ‘Chillai-Kalan’ will end on January 30, after which a milder 20-day period, known as ‘Chillai-Khurd,’ will begin, followed by the 10-day phase called ‘Chillai-Bachha.’
