Blanketing Srinagar in sub-zero chill, the city logged minus 6 degrees Celsius—its coldest reading this winter season. As fog enveloped the valley, temperatures plummeted, freezing daily life in its tracks.
Strikingly, while Kashmir’s highlands revel in fresh snowfall, the plains endure a snowless freeze. This meteorological anomaly stems from stalled weather fronts that deposit moisture only at higher elevations, leaving lower regions parched.
Impacts ripple across society: educational institutions extend holidays, businesses operate skeleton crews, and emergency services handle frostbite and hypothermia calls. Traditional ‘kanger’ firepots see unprecedented use as modern heating struggles against the cold.
The IMD advises layering clothing, staying hydrated despite dry air, and monitoring weather updates. A potential snow event looms for plains areas, which could alleviate the intense dry cold currently prevailing.
Kashmiris, accustomed to harsh winters, adapt with time-tested methods. Pheran robes become daily attire, and community kangris warm gatherings. This cold wave serves as a prelude to deeper winter, testing the valley’s enduring spirit.