Srinagar :- A severe cold wave has engulfed Jammu and Kashmir, with temperatures dropping to their lowest levels this season. Srinagar recorded a chilling minimum temperature of minus 4.6 degrees Celsius, while Jammu experienced a bone-chilling 3.6 degrees Celsius, marking the coldest day of the winter season so far. The meteorological department has forecasted continued cold and dry weather until December 20, with expectations of further intensification of the cold wave.
The winter’s grip has been particularly strong across the region, with mountain areas experiencing even more extreme conditions. Gulmarg recorded a minimum temperature of minus 7.6 degrees Celsius, while Pahalgam hit a low of minus 8.4 degrees Celsius. Other areas in Jammu region also felt the winter’s chill, with Katra registering 7.5, Batote 4.6, Banihal 4.9, and Bhaderwah dropping to minus 0.6 degrees Celsius.
The extreme cold has significantly impacted daily life in the Kashmir Valley, with morning frost and chilling temperatures restricting movement of both pedestrians and vehicles. Residents have retreated indoors, seeking refuge from the biting cold. Shops and business establishments have adjusted their operating hours, closing earlier as people rush home to seek warmth during the long, cold winter nights.
The meteorological department continues to monitor the situation, warning residents to prepare for potentially more severe cold in the coming days. The forecast suggests that the current cold wave is expected to persist and potentially intensify, urging people to take necessary precautions and stay warm.
