Srinagar . Amid cold wave gripped Jammu-Kashmir, the minimum temperature in Srinagar was minus 4 degrees Celsius (Srinagar recorded minimum temperature of Minus 4 Degrees Celsius).
According to the Meteorological Department, no major Western Disturbance is likely to affect Jammu and Kashmir till January 20, which means that there is little chance of heavy snowfall till at least January 20. The minimum temperature was minus 4 degrees Celsius in Srinagar, minus 8.6 degrees Celsius in Gulmarg and minus 6.8 degrees Celsius in Pahalgam. The minimum temperature in Jammu city was 5.2 degrees Celsius, followed by 4.8 degrees Celsius in Katra, 1.7 degrees Celsius in Batote, 1.5 degrees Celsius in Banihal and minus 2.2 degrees Celsius in Bhaderwah.
The 40-day period of severe cold, which started on December 21, will end on January 30. Unless the weather patterns change, the first snowfall of this winter in the valley plains will not occur until at least January 20. If Chillai Kalan passes without any major snowfall, the water level in rivers, springs, ponds, lakes and wells of Jammu and Kashmir will be very low during the summer months. During the summer months, these water sources are fed by perennial water reserves present in the mountains.
People in the valley are braving the harsh cold by wearing traditional woolen cloth called ‘Pherhan’. Apart from protecting themselves from ‘ferhan’, Kashmiri people also wear several layers of woolen clothes to maintain warmth. All middle-aged and older Kashmiris wear woolen caps and mufflers, while the younger ones believe they can cope with the cold through physical activity. Doctors have warned people, especially the youth, not to do excessive physical activity in extreme cold, as this sudden change in body temperature can be fatal. The elderly have been advised not to step out of their homes till 10 am as the morning time is the coldest during the winter months.
Earlier on Monday, the minimum temperature was recorded at ski resort of Gulmarg at minus 8.8 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature in Srinagar was minus 3.6 degrees Celsius, while the lowest night temperature was recorded at 8.7 degrees Celsius in Jammu city, 5.6 in Katra city, 2.1 in Batote, minus 1.3 in Banihal and minus 2.1 degrees Celsius in Bhaderwah. Although Gulmarg and Sonamarg received fresh snowfall, there has been no heavy snowfall in the valley yet.
