Srinagar, Dec 24: Kashmir’s higher reaches received fresh snowfall on Tuesday, as a cold wave continued to grip the region. The intense cold conditions caused a sharp drop in temperatures, leading to the freezing of water supply lines and a thin layer of ice forming over several water bodies.
According to officials, light snowfall was recorded in the tourist resort of Sonamarg and other higher-altitude areas of the valley. The maximum temperature in Srinagar on Monday was 2.8°C, well below the seasonal average of around 9°C, while the minimum temperature plummeted to -6.6°C, a significant drop from the previous night.
Pahalgam, the base camp for the Amarnath Yatra, recorded a low of -7.8°C, while Gulmarg, famous for its skiing resorts, saw temperatures drop to -7.4°C. Konibal, a village in Pampore, was the coldest place in the valley at -8.5°C. Other areas such as Qazigund, Kupwara, and Kokernag recorded lows ranging between -6°C and -6.4°C.
The meteorological department has forecast a further dip in minimum temperatures by 2-3°C until December 26. There is a chance of light snowfall over the higher reaches towards the afternoon of December 27, with dry weather expected on December 29 and 30. Light snowfall is also expected in isolated higher reaches on New Year’s Eve and between January 1-3, the department added.
Kashmir is currently experiencing “Chillai-Kalan,” the harshest winter phase, which began on December 21 and will last until January 30. This period is marked by frequent snowfall and a significant drop in temperatures. After Chillai-Kalan, the valley will enter a milder phase, “Chillai-Khurd” (small cold), followed by “Chillai-Bachha” (baby cold).
