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Kashmir's Deep Freeze: How -2°C Temperatures Grip the Valley Amid Fire Crisis

A biting cold wave has tightened its grip on Kashmir, with Srinagar recording a frigid -2 degrees Celsius. Despite the harsh chill, locals are bundled up and continuing their daily routines. In a separate incident, a significant fire broke out in a congested area of Srinagar, damaging several homes. Fire officials successfully contained the blaze using water pumped from the nearby Jhelum River.

Key Points: Kashmir Cold Wave Hits -2°C as Srinagar Fire Engulfs Houses

  • Srinagar shivers at -2°C, marking one of the season's coldest mornings so far
  • Daytime temperatures may offer slight relief, rising to around 12 degrees Celsius
  • A major fire in Nowpora engulfed 4-5 houses in a congested Srinagar neighbourhood
  • Firefighters battled the blaze by extracting water directly from the Jhelum River
2 min read

Cold wave continues to grip Kashmir Valley, temperature drops to -2 degree Celsius

Srinagar records -2°C as a severe cold wave grips Kashmir. Meanwhile, a major fire in Nowpora engulfs multiple houses, with firefighters using Jhelum River water.

"We extracted water from the Jhelum for firefighting. We were successful in confining the fire to the affected properties. - Mir Aquib, Deputy Director of Fire Services"

Srinagar,, December 4

A biting cold wave continues to grip the Kashmir Valley, with temperatures dropping to sub-zero levels, intensifying winter conditions across the region. In Srinagar, residents stepped out on Thursday morning wrapped in heavy woollens to protect themselves from the harsh winter chills. Despite the icy weather, many people were spotted continuing their morning fitness routines while fully covered.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of -2 degrees Celsius today, marking one of the coldest mornings of the season so far. The maximum temperature is expected to rise to around 12 degrees Celsius, offering slight relief during the day.

With freezing nights and frosty mornings now becoming the norm, the valley remains firmly in the grip of winter. Despite the coldest morning of the season, video from the Kashmir valley showed fog-covered streets with locals going about their business as usual. As December begins, temperatures are expected to dip further.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, a massive fire broke out in the Nowpora area of Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, engulfing 4-5 houses in the congested neighbourhood. The fire was reported at 1:45 PM, and emergency services responded, dispatching nearby fire stations to the scene. Deputy Director of Fire and Emergency Services, Mir Aquib, stated that firefighters extracted water from the Jhelum River to combat the blaze. The firefighting efforts successfully confined the fire to the affected properties, preventing further damage.

"At 1.45 pm, our state control room, Batamaloor, received information of a fire breaking out here in the Nowpora area. Immediately, our nearby fire stations were dispatched to the spot. This is a congested area...When we reached here, 3-4 houses were already on fire. We extracted water from the Jhelum for firefighting. We were successful in confining the fire to the affected properties. According to initial reports, about 4-5 structures were engulfed in flames. However, for complete details, we will conduct an investigation after the firefighting operation is complete. Currently, the fire is under control," said Aquib. The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation, and authorities are assessing the extent of the damage.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
The resilience of Kashmiris is truly inspiring. Going about their daily lives in such extreme cold. But the fire incident in Nowpora is very worrying. In such congested areas and freezing temperatures, fire safety measures need to be a top priority for the local authorities.
V
Vikram M
This is the time when our fellow citizens in the valley need extra support. NGOs and government should ensure proper distribution of winter essentials like blankets, heaters, and warm clothing. The fire has made things even more difficult for those families.
R
Rohit P
While the focus is on the cold, the firefighting team deserves a salute! Extracting water from the Jhelum in this weather and confining the fire is no small feat. Well done to the Fire and Emergency Services.
S
Sarah B
Reading this from Delhi where we are complaining about 10°C. Puts things in perspective. The article mentions people continuing their fitness routines - that's some serious dedication. Hope the temperatures don't dip further as predicted.
M
Meera T
The report is comprehensive, but I wish it had more information on the preventative measures being taken for fires during winter. With people using heaters and kangris, the risk is high. Public awareness campaigns are crucial right now.

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