Cold Wave Persists with Light Rain and Snow Predicted in J&K
Click to start listening
Srinagar, Jan 11 (NationPress) A relentless cold wave has been gripping Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) on Saturday, with the MET department forecasting light rain in the plains of the Jammu division and snow in higher altitudes across the Union Territory (UT) in the coming 24 hours.
A statement from the MET department noted on Saturday, “January 11 will see generally cloudy conditions, with light rain expected in the plains of Jammu division and snow in isolated higher regions of Jammu and Kashmir over the next 24 hours.”
On Saturday, Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of -3.6 degrees Celsius, Gulmarg at -6.5 degrees Celsius, and Pahalgam at -7.1 degrees Celsius.
In Jammu city, the lowest temperature was 7.1 degrees Celsius, Katra town saw 6.1 degrees Celsius, Batote recorded 4.2 degrees Celsius, Banihal at 1.2 degrees Celsius, and Bhaderwah dropped to 0.9 degrees Celsius.
The intense winter phase known as ‘Chillai Kalan’, lasting for 40 days, commenced on December 21 and is set to conclude on January 30.
Following the end of Chillai Kalan, a gradual improvement in weather conditions begins, eventually leading to a pleasant atmosphere by late April and early May, heralding the spring season filled with blooming flowers in Kashmir.
With the continued cold wave across the Valley and parts of the Jammu division, residents are relying heavily on various electric heating devices to stay warm.
This reliance on electrical heating has been challenging for the people of Kashmir, as they face significant power shortages due to multiple factors.
During winter months, the water discharge in local rivers decreases significantly, which negatively impacts the hydro-electric power generation capacity in J&K.
Given its limited resources, the government incurs substantial costs for each unit of electricity imported from outside the UT.
This leads to both scheduled and unscheduled power outages throughout the UT.
In response, locals turn to traditional means of warmth, including the ‘Pheran’, a woolen overgarment, and the Kangri, an earthen firepot encased in a willow wicker basket, to combat the biting cold.
