Srinagar, Jan 3: Kashmir continued to experience bone-chilling cold and dense fog on Friday, causing disruptions in pedestrian and traffic movement, particularly in Srinagar city. The fog formed a thick blanket across the region, with the cold weather showing no sign of relenting.
The Meteorological (MeT) Department forecasted generally cloudy weather with light snow in isolated higher reaches for January 3. A moderate to strong Western Disturbance is expected to bring light to moderate rain to the plains of Jammu and snow to most areas of J&K from January 4 to 6. The peak of this weather event is predicted from the night of January 4 to the morning of January 6, with improvement expected by the afternoon of January 6.
Temperatures in Srinagar dropped to -2.2°C, while Gulmarg and Pahalgam recorded even colder minimums of -4.5°C. Jammu city recorded a relatively warmer temperature of 7.3°C, with Katra at 11°C, Batote at 5.8°C, and Bhaderwah at 2.3°C. The 40-day winter period, known as ‘Chillai Kalan,’ which began on December 21, will continue until January 30, bringing with it severe cold.
With sub-freezing temperatures and icy roads, several water bodies, including lakes and streams, have partially frozen. The hazardous conditions have led to an increase in the number of patients seeking treatment for fractures at Srinagar’s Bone & Joint Hospital, the region’s only specialized medical facility for bone-related ailments.
In light of the fresh snowfall and expected icy conditions, the MeT Department has advised tourists, travelers, and transporters to follow official traffic advisories and plan their travel accordingly.
