As the weather of ‘Chilla-i-Kalan’ persisted in Kashmir, the city of Srinagar recorded its coldest night of the season yet, with the mercury plummeting over five notches below the freezing point, officials reported on Sunday, as per a PTI report. On Saturday night, Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of minus 5.6 degrees Celsius, a slight decrease from the previous night’s minus 5.4 degrees Celsius.
‘Chilla-i-Kalan’, is a 40-day harsh winter period characterised by a cold wave that envelops the region, leading to a significant drop in temperatures.
The Dal Lake and other water bodies in the region witnessed formation of a thin layer of ice, a visible result of the prevailing intense cold wave.
#WATCH | Srinagar, J&K: A thin sheet of ice forms on Dal Lake as cold wave continues. pic.twitter.com/wBNLaLkS7f
— ANI (@ANI) January 7, 2024
During this period, the likelihood of snowfall is at its peak, with most areas, especially the higher reaches, experiencing substantial snowfall. However, the intense dry cold wave, coupled with chilly winds from the mountains, has compounded the difficulties for the residents of Kashmir. The absence of snowfall continues to be a cause for concern among the local population.
Other notable temperature readings included Qazigund at minus 5.0 degrees Celsius, Gulmarg at 4.4 degrees Celsius, and Pahalgam, a base camp for the annual Amarnath Yatra, at minus 6.5 degrees Celsius, reported PTI. Leh town in Ladakh region had minus 15.3 and Kargil minus 14.3 as the minimum temperature. Jammu city had 3.4, Katra 6, Batote 2.1, Bhaderwah minus 0.2 and Banihal minus 2.2 as the minimum temperature, as per an IANS report.
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Residents of houseboats on Dal Lake faced challenges breaking the layer of ice to reach the banks while water in pipes also freezed in several parts of the Kashmir valley.
The region has been experiencing an extended dry spell, with a 79 percent rainfall deficit recorded for December. The hopes of locals for sufficient water for drinking and irrigation during the summer months hinge on the remaining duration of Chilla-i-Kalan. If there is substantial snowfall during this period, there will be enough water, otherwise, the upcoming summer could bring hardships for the locals.
There has been no snowfall in most plain areas of Kashmir, while the upper reaches of the valley have received lesser than usual amount of snow. The meteorological department has forecast mainly dry weather till January 12, according to PTI.
Srinagar ‘Chilla-i-Kalan’ will end on January 31. However, the cold conditions will continue after that with a 20-day ‘Chilla-i-Khurd’ (small cold) and a 10-day ‘Chilla-i-Bachha’ (baby cold).