Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, Dec 22: Srinagar today recorded the coldest night of the season at minus 5.5 degree Celsius as the temperatures across the region plummeted to season’s low.
The coldest day of the season was recorded on the second day of Chillai-Kalan’- the 40-day severe part of winter.
With temperatures plummeting across the region with the onset of Chillai-Kalan, the water taps and several water bodies, mostly stagnant ones, froze today. The freezing of taps led to water problems in several areas of Kashmir in the morning. However, the temperatures rose in the afternoon bringing relief to the people from water problems.
A Meteorological Department official said that Srinagar recorded a low of minus 5.5°C against 4.2°C on the previous night. Besides being the coldest lowest temperature this season, the mercury was 3.5°C below normal during this time of the year.
Qazigund recorded a low of minus 4.4°C against minus 4.2°C on the previous night. The temperature was 2.4°C below normal for the town.
Pahalgam recorded a low of minus 6.8°C against minus 6.2°C on the previous night. Apart from being below normal by 1.8°C, it was also the coldest night this season in the famous tourist resort.
Kokernag also hit the season’s coldest temperature, recording a low of minus 3.3°C against minus 2.4°C on the previous night. It was 1.2°C below normal for the place.
Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 5.2°C against minus 4.6°C on the previous night. It was 0.6°C above normal for the skiing resort.
In Kupwara town, the mercury settled at minus 5.1°C against minus 4.4°C on the previous night. It was 2.5°C below normal and the coldest temperature recorded so far in the town.
Leh and Kargil recorded a low of minus 12.0°C and 12.8 °C respectively.
Chillai-Kalan began yesterday on harsh note recording coldest night of the season for two consecutive days.
The Chillai-Kalan is followed by a 20-day-long period called ‘Chillai-Khurd’ that occurs between January 30 and February 19 and a 10-day-long period ‘Chillai-Bacha’ (baby cold) which is from February 20 to March 1.
“Mainly dry weather till December 25. From 26-30th generally cloudy sky with intermittent light to moderate snow is expected at scattered places of Kashmir, higher reaches of Jammu and light rain in plains of Jammu (60?chance),” a MeT official said.
“Snowfall and below freezing temperature may lead to temporary disruption of surface transportation on places like Mughal Road, Zojila, Karna, Sadna Top etc during 26-27th, although there’s no forecast of any major snow spell,” he added.
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