Srinagar Records Slight Rise in Night Temperature After a Month

After nearly a month of sub-freezing temperatures, Srinagar experienced a slight rise in the night temperature, reaching 0.2 degrees Celsius on Saturday. The last time the minimum temperature was above freezing was on December 15, 2023, at 0.5 degrees Celsius. This development during the 40 days known as ‘Chillai Kalan,’ characterized by harsh winter cold, is concerning as it indicates a lack of snowfall in the plains of the Valley.

Special prayers were offered across Kashmir to seek divine blessings for rain. Inadequate snowfall during Chillai Kalan can impact water bodies in the Valley during the summer, affecting their discharge. Srinagar recorded 0.2 degrees Celsius, Gulmarg had minus 1, and Pahalgam had minus 0.6 as the minimum temperature. Leh, Kargil, and Drass in Ladakh reported sub-zero temperatures, while Jammu, Katra, Batote, Bhaderwah, and Banihal recorded varying minimum temperatures.