On Sunday, intense cold continued to grip Jammu and Kashmir, with the gap between maximum and minimum temperatures remaining narrow. The Meteorological (MeT) department predicted cold, dry weather for the next 24 hours in the region.
On Saturday, Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 5.8°C, while the minimum dropped to minus 3°C on Sunday. In Gulmarg, the maximum temperature was 2.4°C on Saturday, and the minimum reached minus 5.6°C on Sunday. Pahalgam saw a maximum temperature of 4.8°C and a minimum of minus 6.2°C on Sunday.
In the Jammu region, temperatures were as follows: Jammu city recorded a minimum of 10.5°C, Katra had 8.4°C, Batote saw 4.6°C, Banihal had 0.7°C, and Bhaderwah reported 2.5°C as the minimum temperature.
The MeT office also issued a forecast, stating that January 12 would be generally cloudy in the morning and early afternoon, with conditions improving afterward. January 13 is expected to be mainly clear with dry weather. January 14 will be generally cloudy with dry conditions, while light snow is expected at isolated higher altitudes on January 15 and 16. January 17 and 18 are also forecast to be generally cloudy.
The harsh winter period known as ‘Chillai Kalan,’ lasting 40 days, began on December 21 and will end on January 30. During this time, locals typically stay warm by wearing the traditional loose woolen cloak called the ‘Pheran’ and using a firepot called the ‘Kangri,’ woven into a willow wicker basket. These items help protect against the intense cold.
Doctors have urged caution, particularly for children and the elderly, to avoid prolonged exposure to extreme cold, as it can lead to hypothermia. The constriction of blood vessels due to extreme cold can result in heart attacks and heart failure.
The use of the Pheran and Kangri has become essential for locals, as Jammu and Kashmir struggles with a shortage of electricity due to limited funding, transmission losses, and a low cost of electricity charged to consumers. This has led to a gap between the demand and supply of power in the region.
