Srinagar Records Season's Lowest Temperature at -4.1°C
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Srinagar, Dec 6 (NationPress) The temperature continued to drop as the minimum recorded in Srinagar hit -4.1 degrees Celsius on Friday, registering the coldest night of the season thus far.
According to officials at the Meteorological (MeT) Department, the clear night sky contributed to the continued decline in temperature, with this night being the coldest experienced this season.
The MeT department further stated, “The weather is expected to remain dry until the evening of December 8, and the night temperatures are anticipated to decrease even more during this time.”
In nearby regions, Gulmarg recorded -4.3 and Pahalgam -6.5 as their minimum temperatures.
Meanwhile, Jammu city had a minimum of 8.6, Katra 7.6, Batote 1.6, Banihal -2.6, and Bhaderwah 0.3.
The local 40-day period of intense winter cold, known as ‘Chillai Kalan’, begins annually on December 21 and concludes on January 30.
During this time, water bodies in Kashmir partially freeze, making activities such as boating and rowing in local lakes and rivers quite challenging.
Mornings are often accompanied by frost and fog, complicating travel for pedestrians and vehicles. To avoid accidents, many residents choose to stay indoors until the fog dissipates.
Kashmiris tend to rely more on traditional methods to shield themselves from the harsh cold rather than modern solutions.
A popular traditional item is the ‘Kangri’, a firepot made of willow wicker filled with embers, which is kept under a loose garment called a ‘Pheran’.
These items are considered invaluable, especially since electricity can be scarce in the economically challenged union territory.
During winter, fresh vegetables are often hard to find, prompting locals to utilize dried options such as brinjal, pumpkins, and tomatoes extensively. Dried and smoked fish also remains a favored winter dish among Kashmiris, providing the necessary calories to combat the bone-chilling cold of Chillai Kalan.
