Because the 40-day harsh winter interval, “Chillia-Kallan,” begins, Srinagar, the summer time capital of Jammu and Kashmir, has skilled a drastic drop in temperatures, with the minimal recorded at minus 8.5°C.
This marks the coldest December evening since 1974, when town recorded a low of minus 10.3°C. The temperature is just not solely important in latest historical past but in addition ranks because the third-lowest December temperature recorded within the metropolis within the final 133 years, following an all-time low of minus 12.8°C set in 1934.
The plummeting temperatures have triggered the freezing of water our bodies, together with the world-famous Dal Lake. Round 40% of the lake is roofed with a 1-inch-thick ice layer. Nearly all water our bodies in Kashmir and Ladakh are frozen.
Because the area enters “Chillia-Kallan,” residents are enduring the extraordinary chilly wave. Neighboring areas have additionally recorded important lows. Shopian registered minus 10.4°C, Anantnag dipped to minus 10.5°C, and Pulwama settled at minus 10.3°C, whereas Kulgam recorded a relatively milder minus 6.8°C.
A meteorological division official famous that Srinagar’s temperature dropped by 2.3°C from the earlier evening’s low of 6.2°C, which was the season’s lowest till now.
The official added that for the reason that begin of the current century, the earlier lowest temperature in 24 years was recorded on 28 December 2018, when the mercury plunged to minus 7.7°C.
The bottom ever temperature was recorded on 13 December 1934, when it reached minus 12.8°C. In 1974, the temperature dipped to minus 8.6°C. Qazigund recorded a minimal of minus 8.2°C, in comparison with minus 7.6°C on the earlier evening. Pahalgam recorded a low of minus 8.6°C.
Kokernag, in south Kashmir, recorded a minimal of minus 5.8°C, and the well-known vacationer vacation spot, Gulmarg, recorded a low of minus 6.2°C.
As temperatures proceed to drop, elements of Dal Lake and different water our bodies have begun to freeze, making a picturesque but stark winter panorama. Arshi Kumari, a vacationer, shared her pleasure: “It’s the primary time I’m seeing frozen water, particularly a lake. I’ve seen snow, however that is totally different. Though it’s very chilly, I nonetheless love roaming across the lake.”
The individuals of Kashmir Valley are bracing for extra excessive climate forward as they face the challenges of this intense chilly wave. Many are battling frozen water faucets within the mornings and frequent energy outages, which have made each day life much more tough.
Mohammad Aziz, a boatman, defined, “Vacationers love this, however we’re having a tricky time. It’s arduous to get the boat to the shore of the lake; our boats are getting broken. Water faucets are frozen, and we’re going through a whole lot of energy cuts.
It’s simply the primary day of Chillia-Kallan, and it appears we’ll should endure even colder climate.”
With the chilly wave anticipated to persist, authorities have suggested individuals in Kashmir Valley to take precautions to remain heat throughout this unprecedented winter chill.
