Winter writes in sub-zero ink

Srinagar, Jan 10: As Chillai Kalan, the coldest 40-day period of winter in Kashmir, entered its peak phase, a biting cold wave gripped the region on Saturday, with night temperatures remaining well below freezing, even as a few areas saw marginal overnight relief.

Srinagar recorded a minimum of minus 5.7 degrees Celsius, slightly warmer than minus 6 degrees Celsius on Friday.

Similar marginal improvement was seen in Gulmarg, where temperatures rose to minus 6.8 degrees Celsius from minus 7.2 degrees Celsius, and in Sopore, which warmed to minus 7.6 degrees Celsius from minus 6.8 degrees Celsius a day earlier.

However, cold conditions intensified in south Kashmir, with Pulwama turning colder at minus 8 degrees Celsius, down from minus 7.5 degrees Celsius, while Shopian emerged as the coldest place in the Valley at minus 8.2 degrees Celsius, compared with minus 7.7 degrees Celsius on Friday.

Anantnag and Awantipora also recorded lower night temperatures, both settling at minus 7 degrees Celsius.

In central Kashmir, Budgam dipped to minus 6.1 degrees Celsius, slightly lower than minus 5.9 degrees Celsius a day earlier, while Pampore remained unchanged at minus 5.5 degrees Celsius.

Srinagar Airport recorded a sharp minimum of minus 7.2 degrees Celsius, making it colder than the city centre.

North Kashmir locations saw largely stable or slightly lower readings, with Kupwara at minus 6.1 degrees Celsius compared with minus 5.8 degrees Celsius on Friday, Baramulla at minus 5.8 degrees Celsius, and Bandipora at minus 5.3 degrees Celsius, nearly unchanged.

Higher reaches also turned colder, with Pahalgam recording minus 7.8 degrees Celsius, down from minus 7.6 degrees Celsius, and Sonamarg plunging to minus 6.3 degrees Celsius from minus 5.4 degrees Celsius.

Zethan Rafiabad showed some improvement, rising to minus 6.8 degrees Celsius from minus 7.2 degrees Celsius.

Weather officials said the region is likely to experience partly cloudy weather from January 9 to 15, after which conditions are expected to turn generally cloudy on January 16 and 17, with light rain or snowfall possible at isolated higher reaches of the Kashmir division.

Similar conditions are forecast to return on January 20 and again between January 22 and 23, when light snowfall may occur over isolated high-altitude areas, while the intervening days are likely to remain generally cloudy.