Sajid Raina
Srinagar, Jan 7: Cold wave conditions are set to intensify across Jammu and Kashmir from Wednesday as the 40-day harsh winter period of Chillai-Kalan enters its peak phase, the independent weather forecaster said on Wednesday.
Minimum temperatures dipped further across the Kashmir Valley, with Sonamarg recording the lowest at minus 10.1 degrees Celsius, followed by Gulmarg at minus 7.6 degrees and Pahalgam at minus 7.2 degrees Celsius. Srinagar recorded a minimum of minus 1.6 degrees, while the airport registered minus 2.2 degrees Celsius, it said.
Other places in the Valley also witnessed sub-zero temperatures, including Kupwara at minus 3.6 degrees, Baramulla at minus 3.0 degrees, Pulwama at minus 5.1 degrees, Shopian at minus 4.3 degrees and Budgam at minus 2.4 degrees Celsius. Qazigund recorded a minimum of 0.1 degrees, while Kokernag settled at minus 2.3 degrees Celsius.
According to details, in the Jammu region, night temperatures remained relatively higher, with Jammu city recording a minimum of 8.7 degrees Celsius and the airport at 9.3 degrees. Bhaderwah, however, recorded a low of minus 2.6 degrees, while Banihal recorded 2.3 degrees and Batote 3.1 degrees Celsius. Katra registered 6.4 degrees, Rajouri 1.0 degree and Kishtwar 0.1 degrees, it added.
In Ladakh, Leh recorded a minimum temperature of minus 13.4 degrees Celsius, while Drass, known as the second coldest inhabited place in the world, plunged to minus 22.8 degrees. Nyoma recorded minus 20.2 degrees, Padum minus 16.8 degrees and Kargil minus 11.6 degrees Celsius.
Meteorological officials said cold wave conditions are likely to intensify over the next four days, with minimum temperatures in the Kashmir plains expected to range between minus 4 and minus 9 degrees Celsius.
Higher reaches may see night temperatures between minus 6 and minus 13 degrees, while the Jammu plains are likely to record minimum temperatures between 0 and 6 degrees Celsius.
The weather is expected to remain largely dry over the next 10 days, barring weak western disturbances. Isolated light rain or snowfall over higher elevations cannot be ruled out around January 12 and 13, officials said.
With the prolonged dry spell continuing, water levels in rivers and streams across the region are expected to keep falling, raising concerns over water availability in the coming weeks.
Chillai-Kalan, the harshest phase of winter, is known for severe cold, freezing of water bodies and frequent sub-zero temperatures across the region.
Meanwhile, the Meteorological Centre Srinagar said Jammu and Kashmir is likely to witness generally cold and dry weather till January 22, with intermittent cloudy conditions expected between January 16 and 20.
“Minimum temperatures are expected to fall till January 10 and thereafter rise by 1–2 degrees Celsius. Dense fog is likely to persist at a few places in the Jammu division over the next five days,” it added.
