Harsh Winter Grips Kashmir Valley And Ladakh Region, Minus 25.1 Degrees Celsius Recorded In Padum

Cold, dry weather is expected to continue in J&K during the next 24 hours as the night temperatures dropped further in the Valley on Monday.

The new year 2023 brings along with itself a more chilly winter for Kashmir, amid the 40-day-long 'Chillai Kalan'. The mercury level during the nighttime has further dipped during this harsh winter season. Ladakh's Padum in Zanskar recorded a minimum temperature of minus 25.1 degrees Celsius today as reported by Indian Meteorological Department (IMD).

"Cold, dry weather is expected to continue in J&K during the next 24 hours as the night temperatures dropped further in the Valley on Monday," according to an official from the weather department.

As the severe cold wave continues to grip the valley, the people of Kashmir are facing difficulty in carrying out day-to-day work.

Srinagar, the summer capital of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, has been severely affected as the water taps in most parts of the city had frozen in the morning. In order to de-freeze the water, people of the city were seen lighting tender fires around the pipes. 

The largest city Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of minus 5.4 degrees Celsius. Pahalgam, where the annual Amarnath Yatra takes place, recorded a minimum temperature of minus 9.6 degrees Celsius. The hill station city Gulmarg recorded a minimum temperature of minus 10 degrees Celsius.

The Ladakh region has also been affected. While Kargil recorded a minimum temperature of minus 15.5 degrees Celsius, Leh recorded a minimum temperature of minus 15.4  degrees Celsius.

Jammu, the winter capital of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, recorded a minimum temperature of 4.2 degrees Celsius. Katra recorded 5.5, Batote minus 1.5, Banihal minus 2 and Bhaderwah minus 2.4 degrees Celsius as the minimum temperature.

However, this bitter cold has enhanced winter tourism in the valley as it has pulled more tourists. Many cities of the tourist attraction in Kashmir saw long traffic jams due to the influx of people to celebrate the new year.

The Jammu and Kashmir government has already announced three-month-long winter vacations for the school in the UT in December, as reported by The Indian Express. The schools in the valley will reopen on February 28.

Chillai Kalan starts on December 21 and continues till January 29. It will be followed by a 20-day-long Chillai Khurd and then a 10-day-long Chillai Bacha.

(With IANS Input)