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Srinagar Freezes at -6°C, Snowfall Eludes Kashmir Plains in Crucial Chillai Kalan

Srinagar recorded its coldest night of the season at minus 6 degrees Celsius, causing water taps and shallow bodies to freeze. The Meteorological Department forecasts a continued cold, dry spell with little chance of snow until January 20, raising alarms as the crucial 40-day Chillai Kalan period is already halfway through. This dry spell threatens agriculture, horticulture, and drinking water supplies, which depend on heavy snowfall to replenish reservoirs. Meanwhile, hospitals are seeing a surge in patients with chest and heart ailments, with doctors advising vulnerable people to avoid going out in the extreme cold.

Key Points: Srinagar Coldest Night at -6°C, Dry Spell Alarms Kashmir

  • Srinagar hits -6°C coldest night
  • Dry spell during crucial Chillai Kalan period
  • Water resource replenishment at risk
  • Health warnings for vulnerable groups
2 min read

Srinagar freezes at season's coldest night at minus 6 as snowfall eludes Kashmir plains

Srinagar records season's coldest night at minus 6°C as a dry spell during Chillai Kalan raises concerns over water resources and health.

"The continued dry spell has raised alarm across J&K - Meteorological Department"

Srinagar, Jan 9

The Minimum temperature dropped further across Jammu and Kashmir on Friday as Srinagar city recorded the coldest night of the season so far at minus 6 degrees Celsius.

Srinagar city virtually froze with minus 6 as water taps, road puddles and shallow water bodies froze in the Valley due to very low night temperatures.

The gap between the maximum and the minimum temperature has also narrowed down as Srinagar recorded 11.2 degrees as the maximum temperature on Thursday.

The Meteorological (MeT) Department has forecast generally cold, dry weather till January 20, with little chances of rain/snow during this period, except for some isolated downpour in the higher reaches.

The continued dry spell has raised alarm across J&K as all the water bodies on which agriculture, horticulture and drinking water needs are based in turn depend on heavy snowfall during the ongoing 40-day long period of harsh winter cold called the 'Chillai Kalan'.

This crucial 40-day-long period is already halfway through, and the plains of the Valley are yet to witness this season's first snowfall.

Chillai Kalan ends on January 30. Snowfall in February and March is of little consequence as it melts quickly and does not help replenish the perennial water reservoirs in the mountains.

Gulmarg ski resort had minus 7.2 degrees Celsius, and Pahalgam minus 7.6 as a minimum temperature.

Jammu city had 5.6 degrees Celsius, Katra town 3.5, Batote 1, Banihal minus 0.9 and Bhaderwah minus 3.4 as the night's lowest temperature.

Hospitals and clinics of Pulmonologists and cardiologists are witnessing a heavy rush of patients as chest and heart-related diseases are also on the rise due to cold, dry weather.

People with a history of chest and heart-related ailments have been advised extra care by the doctors, and such vulnerable people have been advised not to venture out of their homes in extreme cold wave conditions.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
My heart goes out to the people, especially the elderly and those with health issues. Minus 6 is no joke. Please stay warm and take the doctors' advice seriously. Hope the administration is ensuring proper heating and care in hospitals.
R
Rohit P
No snow in the plains yet? That's unusual. I remember visiting Srinagar in January a few years back, and it was a winter wonderland. Climate change is showing its effects even in our Himalayan regions. Worrying trend.
S
Sarah B
While the article highlights the problems, I wish it also talked more about what local communities are doing to adapt. There's always great resilience in these regions. Sending warmth and solidarity from down south!
V
Vikram M
The economic impact on tourism must be huge. Gulmarg and Pahalgam depend on snowfall. If this continues, it will be a tough season for all the hotel owners, ski instructors, and local businesses. Hope the snow arrives soon.
K
Karthik V
A dry, cold winter is often harsher than a snowy one. The moisture in the air during snowfall makes it feel less biting. This dry freeze is brutal for the lungs and skin. People there are really tough to endure this.

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