Srinagar: Cold wave conditions in Kashmir intensified as minimum temperature settled several degrees below freezing point, officials said on Sunday.
The sub-zero temperature and clear skies resulted in the freezing of parts of the Dal Lake and other water bodies.
Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of minus 5.2 degrees Celsius on Saturday night, slight up from the previous night’s minus 5.7 degrees Celsius.
The summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir had recorded its coldest night this season on Thursday when the minimum temperature dipped to minus 6 degrees Celsius.
South Kashmir Shopian town was the coldest place across the valley, as the minimum settled at minus 8.6 degrees Celsius. Pahalgam tourist resort, which also serves as one of the base camps for the annual Amarnath yatra, registered a low of minus 7.6 degrees Celsius.
The night temperature in the popular ski resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district settled at a low of minus 6.2 degrees Celsius, up from the previous night’s minus 6.8 degrees Celsius, they said.
The tourist resort of Sonamarg in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district recorded a minimum temperature of 4.3 degrees Celsius.
Qazigund, the gateway town of the valley, registered a low of minus 5.8 degrees Celsius, the season’s coldest, officials said. Kokernag recorded a low of minus 3.4 degrees Celsius, and Kupwara minus 5.6 degrees Celsius, they added.
Meanwhile, the Jammu region also experienced cold conditions, though temperatures remained above freezing in most areas. Jammu city recorded a minimum temperature of 4.0 degrees Celsius, while Banihal settled at 7.1 degrees Celsius. Other hill areas reported chilly nights, with Batote at 3.0 degrees Celsius, Bhadarwah at –2.0 degrees Celsius, and Katra at 4.4 degrees Celsius.
Kashmir is currently in the midst of ‘Chilla-i-Kalan’, 40 days of extreme cold, during which night temperatures often drop several degrees below the freezing point, and the chances of snowfall are the highest.
‘Chilla-i-Kalan’, which began on December 21 last year, ends on January 30.
The plains of the valley have not received any snowfall so far this season.
The India Meteorological Department has said the weather is likely to remain dry but cloudy till January 21.
Fog delays 7 flights at Jammu Airport
Jammu: As many as seven flights were delayed at the Jammu Airport on Sunday due to heavy fog and low visibility conditions, affecting air traffic during the morning hours. An official from Jammu Airport said that adverse weather conditions led to delays of multiple outbound flights, including those operating from Jammu to Delhi, Indore and Ahmedabad. Two flights scheduled from Jammu to Srinagar were also delayed, while two flights bound for Leh witnessed delays owing to poor visibility. The official added that dense fog reduced visibility levels, making it unsafe for scheduled flight operations at the airport. As a result, departures were held back until conditions showed improvement. Passengers were seen waiting at the terminal for updates as airlines adjusted their schedules in response to the weather conditions. Officials said flight operations will gradually be normalised as visibility improves later in the day. The Jammu Airport Authority advised passengers to stay in contact with their respective airlines for the latest updates on flight timings, especially during the winter months when fog frequently disrupts air services in the region.
