Srinagar Sees Coldest December Night in 50 Years
Chillai Kalan, the 40-day period marking the harshest winter in Kashmir, began on Saturday with Srinagar recording its coldest December night in five decades. The city’s temperature plunged to minus 8.5 degrees Celsius on the night of December 21, according to the meteorological department. This marks Srinagar’s coldest December night since 1974, when the city recorded minus 10.3 degrees Celsius, and the third coldest since 1891. The lowest-ever temperature recorded in Srinagar during this month was minus 12.8 degrees Celsius on December 13, 1934.
The severe cold caused several water bodies, including parts of the iconic Dal Lake, to freeze, and disrupted water supply lines in many areas of the city and other parts of the valley.
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In addition to Srinagar, other parts of the region also experienced sharp drops in temperature. Pahalgam, a popular tourist resort in South Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 8.6 degrees Celsius, while the famous ski resort of Gulmarg saw a temperature of minus 6.2 degrees Celsius. Konibal, a hamlet near Pampore, was the coldest station in the valley, with a minimum temperature of minus 10.5 degrees Celsius.
Other areas such as Qazigund, Kupwara, and Kokernag also saw temperatures below freezing, with Qazigund registering minus 8.2 degrees Celsius, Kupwara minus 7.2 degrees Celsius, and Kokernag minus 5.8 degrees Celsius.
The meteorological office has predicted mainly dry weather until December 26, with light snowfall expected in higher reaches of the valley on the night of December 21-22. There is also a possibility of light snowfall from December 27 afternoon to the morning of December 28, with a dry spell anticipated on December 29-30. The weather office forecasts light snowfall over the higher reaches on New Year’s Eve.
Chillai Kalan, the harshest phase of winter, will continue until January 31, followed by the 20-day ‘Chillai Khurd’ (small cold) and the 10-day ‘Chillai Bachha’ (baby cold).
