Srinagar shivered through its coldest night of the season as temperatures plunged to a bone-chilling minus 6 degrees Celsius. The mercury’s sharp drop has blanketed the city in an icy grip, with residents waking up to frost-covered streets and frozen landscapes.
While higher reaches of Kashmir continue to see snowfall, the valley’s plains have remained surprisingly dry, denying locals the picturesque white carpet they often anticipate. Meteorologists attribute this unusual pattern to shifting weather systems that have stalled precipitation in lower altitudes.
The cold wave has disrupted daily life significantly. Schools remain closed, and traffic moves cautiously on icy roads. Power outages, a common companion to such extreme weather, have added to the woes of power-starved households seeking warmth.
Experts warn that the dry cold could exacerbate health issues, urging people to stay indoors and keep warm. The India Meteorological Department forecasts continued sub-zero temperatures for the next 48 hours, with a slight possibility of light snow in plains by the weekend.
This harsh winter reminder underscores Kashmir’s vulnerability to climate extremes. As tourists stay away and locals hunker down, the valley braces for more nights of unrelenting cold.