As a severe cold wave sweeps across Kashmir and Ladakh, temperatures have dropped further in the region. Srinagar recorded the coldest night of the season as the temperature dropped to -6.2°C. The drop in temperature was more severe in Shopian, where temperatures plummeted to -10°C, while in Zojila, temperatures dropped to -24°C.
Temperatures are dropping day by day in Kashmir and Ladakh. The India Meteorological Department confirmed that Srinagar experienced the coldest night of the season so far, with the impact of the severe cold wave intensifying.
The minimum temperature has dropped to a few degrees below freezing.
Thick fog engulfed many areas in Srinagar with the minimum temperature reaching -6.3°C. The night temperature in Kashmir was five degrees below normal.
The IMD attributes this extreme cold to the effects of La Nina, which causes freezing of many water bodies, including the famous Dal Lake. In addition, due to the severe cold, water pipes, taps, rivers and streams froze in some areas.
The temperature in Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination in south Kashmir, was -8.2°C, two degrees below zero. The temperature in Gulmarg, famous for its ski resort, was -6°C.
The storefront is the coldest area in the valley, with temperatures plunging to minus 10°C. The minimum temperature was -7.6°C in Qazigund, -6.5°C in Kupwara and -5.8°C in Kokonaga.
Local residents are facing serious difficulties due to the severe cold. Amir, a local resident, said: “The days are getting harder day by day. Our day only starts after 10 a.m., and the faucets and water pipes are frozen.
It took us 30 minutes to clear the snow and start the car. We have never experienced such biting cold, especially before the Chillai Kallan (40-day long severe winter).
The meteorological department predicts that the cold wave will continue in the next two days and the temperature may drop further. Snow is also expected in the mountains. Temperatures across the valley have yet to rise above freezing.