On 20 December, Kashmir witnessed temperatures dipping below the freezing point, a day ahead of the Chilla-i-Kalan, the harshest 40-day harshest winter period. It’s during this period that the cold wave grips the region, and when temperature drops considerably leading to freezing of water bodies, including the well-known Dal Lake, as well as the water supply lines, according to media reports.
On 21 December, Kashmir valley saw the mercury dropping several notches below the freezing point in several places, including Pahalgam, which registered the lowest night temperature at minus 6.2 degrees Celsius, as per the officials. Several places in Kashmir witnessed some of the coldest nights of the season so far. The Dal Lake froze, as well as the water in the taps, according to officials.
Reportedly, Srinagar saw minimum temperature going down minus 4.2 degrees Celsius recently, whereas the famous ski resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district recorded minus 4.6 degrees Celsius.
Further, north Kashmir’s Kupwara saw the mercury settling down to as low as minus 4.4 degrees Celsius, minus 4.2 degrees Celsius in Qazigund, and minus 2.4 degrees Celsius in Kokernag. Dry weather in Jammu and Kashmir will likely continue till December 24, and there is a possibility of rains or light snowfall in some parts of Kashmir around Christmas. There are also maximum chances of snowfall during this period, while most areas, especially in the higher reaches, will be receiving heavy snowfall.
Chillai-Kalan will continue till the end of January, although the cold wave will continue even after that in Kashmir.
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