Kashmir valley plunges to -7°C, Dal Lake freezes in severe coldwave

Dal Lake freezes in severe coldwave: Jammu and Kashmir is experiencing a severe cold wave, with temperatures continuing to plummet as the gap between the maximum and minimum temperatures narrows.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast, the minimum and maximum temperatures are expected to be -27.87 °C and -14.43 °C, respectively.

The relative humidity is currently at 80% with a wind speed of 80 km/h. The sky appears to be Snow, providing a pleasant or varied weather outlook as predicted by IMD. The sun rose at 07:25 AM and will set at 05:34 PM.

Also Read: Punjab AAP MLA Gurpreet Gogi Dies from Bullet Injury to Head: Known for Vintage Guns and Cars

Dal Lake freezes as temperature dips

The fall in the mercury has led to the freezing of water supply lines even as a thin layer of ice covered the surface of several water bodies, including the Dal Lake.

The city was colder than Gulmarg, a tourist resort town known for skiing activities in north Kashmir, where the mercury settled at a low of minus 6.6 degrees Celsius, up from minus 7.

4 degrees Celsius the previous night, the department added.

Pahalgam, the base camp for the annual Amarnath Yatra in south Kashmir, registered a minimum temperature of minus 8.4 degrees Celsius, down from the previous night's minus 7.8 degrees Celsius, it said.

Also Read: 6 Arrested in Kerala After Dalit Girl Claims Sexual Abuse by 62 People Over 5 Years

The Met Office said light snowfall over the higher reaches is possible from the late afternoon on December 27 until the forenoon the next day.

While the weather would stay mainly dry on December 29, 30, and 31, light snowfall is possible in the isolated higher reaches on New Year's Eve, and light snowfall could take place at isolated to scattered places in Kashmir from January 1-4.

Current Air Quality For Srinagar, Jammu And Kashmir

Right now, the Air Quality Index (AQI) is at 54, which is considered “Moderate“. PM2.5 is the main pollutant.

While the air quality is generally acceptable, some pollutants could cause minor health concerns for a few people who are extra sensitive to air pollutants.

During the 40 days of Chillai-Kalan, the chances of snowfall are most frequent and maximum and the temperature drops considerably. It ends on January 30 next year, but the cold wave continues even after that in the valley. The 40 days are followed by a 20-day 'Chillai-Khurd' (small cold) and a 10-day 'Chillai-Bachha' (baby cold).

Also Read: What Went Wrong with Gold Import Figures? Why the Revision Before the Budget is Crucial