Minimum temperatures across the Kashmir Valley dropped several degrees below the freezing point as the summer capital, Srinagar, recorded the season’s coldest night at minus 6.0 degrees Celsius on Thursday night, officials said on Friday.
The bone-chilling cold conditions have led to the freezing of several water bodies, especially the famous Dal Lake.
According to the MeT Department in Srinagar, “The summer capital experienced the season’s coldest night, with the minimum temperature settling at minus 6.0 degrees Celsius on Thursday night, compared to minus 5.1 degrees Celsius recorded the night before.”
Officials said it was the coldest night in the city so far this season, with minimum temperatures were 4.2 degrees below the season’s average.
Most weather stations in the Kashmir Valley, including north, south and central regions, are experiencing cold wave conditions. The higher reaches of the valley continued to receive fresh snowfall.
Fresh snowfall over the higher reaches on Wednesday and Thursday night has disrupted road traffic, forcing the closure of several critical highways connecting Jammu with Kashmir.
Amidst the prevailing weather conditions, cases of seasonal illness among the young and elderly have surged across the valley. Doctors have advised people to keep warm and avoid early morning travel if possible.
In the Jammu region, temperatures, however, remained above freezing point at most of the weather stations.
Jammu city remained the warmest place, with minimum temperatures at 5.6 degrees Celsius, while Shopian emerged as the coldest, with minus 7.7 degrees Celsius.
The Valley’s main tourist attractions, Gulmarg, Sonmarg, and Pahalgam, are witnessing a massive rush of tourists following the recent snowfall.
Meanwhile, the Valley is in the middle of the harsh 40-day Chillai-Kalan period. During this period, the Kashmir Valley usually receives heavy snowfall, which replenishes the agricultural land, particularly the horticulture and saffron fields.
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