Cold Wave Intensifies in Kashmir

Srinagar, Nov 21: The cold wave in Kashmir tightened its hold on the region, with temperatures remaining well below freezing at most weather stations, despite a slight improvement in the night temperatures.

In Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, the minimum temperature dropped to -0.4°C, following the season’s first sub-zero reading of -0.7°C earlier. This was 1.1°C below the normal average for this time of year, according to the Meteorological Department.

Shopian, which recorded the coldest night of the season on Wednesday, continued to be the coldest place on Thursday, with a minimum temperature of -3.9°C, as reported by independent weather observer Faizan Arif.

In south Kashmir, most areas experienced freezing temperatures, with Anantnag recording -3.5°C, Pulwama -3.4°C, Larnoo -3.0°C, and Kulgam -2.0°C.

Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, saw a slight improvement, with the temperature recorded at -3.2°C, up from -3.7°C the previous night. This was still 1.1°C below the normal for the region.

Qazigund, known as the gateway to Kashmir, recorded a minimum temperature of -2.0°C, a drop from -1.6°C the previous night, and 2.5°C below normal for the area.

The ski resort of Gulmarg also saw a slight rise in temperature, recorded at 0.0°C, compared to 0.6°C the previous night, but still 1.5°C above normal for this time of year.

Kokernag, another picturesque spot in south Kashmir, recorded a low of 0.7°C, down from 1.2°C the day before, and 0.7°C below normal for the season.

In north Kashmir, Kupwara saw a low of -0.9°C, a slight drop from the previous night’s -0.8°C, which was 0.6°C below the normal temperature for the region.

The Meteorological Department forecast that the weather in Kashmir Valley would remain dry until November 23. However, it warned that another wet spell is expected to begin on November 24, bringing light rain and snow to higher reaches of Kashmir and scattered areas of Jammu division. After that, the weather is expected to remain dry until November 30.