Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) continues to experience an unrelenting cold wave, with the MET department predicting light rain in the lower regions of the Jammu division and snow in the higher altitudes over the next 24 hours.
According to a statement from the MET department, “On January 11, expect generally cloudy weather with light rain in the Jammu plains and isolated snowfall in the higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir during the next day.”
Temperatures in Srinagar dropped to a low of minus 3.6 degrees Celsius, while Gulmarg and Pahalgam recorded minimums of minus 6.5 and minus 7.1 degrees Celsius, respectively. In the Jammu region, Jammu city reported a low of 7.1 degrees Celsius, followed by Katra at 6.1, Batote at 4.2, Banihal at 1.2, and Bhaderwah at 0.9 degrees Celsius.
The intense cold spell known as ‘Chillai Kalan,’ which lasts for 40 days, began on December 21 and will conclude on January 30. Following this period, the weather is expected to gradually improve, leading to more pleasant conditions by late April or early May, marking the arrival of spring in Kashmir.
As the cold wave persists, residents are relying heavily on electric heating devices to stay warm. However, power shortages have become a significant issue due to various factors, causing frustration among the people of Kashmir.
During the colder months, water levels in local rivers drop significantly, adversely impacting the hydro-electric power generation in the region. With limited local resources, the government faces high costs for each unit of electricity imported from outside the UT. This situation leads to both scheduled and unscheduled power outages.
In response to the harsh cold, many residents turn to traditional solutions like the woolen overgarment known as the ‘Pheran’ and the ‘Kangri,’ an earthen firepot carried in a willow basket, to keep warm.