Winter’s icy grip has tightened in Kashmir as Srinagar recorded its first sub-zero temperature of the season at minus 0.7°C on Tuesday night.
This marks a sharp drop as the region transitions into colder months. Other parts of the valley recorded even lower temperatures, with Shopian shivering at minus 3.9°C and Pahalgam, a renowned tourist destination, experiencing a freezing minus 3.7°C.
The weather is expected to get colder in the coming days as Kashmir braces for harsher conditions. Residents are also awaiting the arrival of Chillai Kalan, the 40-day period of intense winter that begins on December 21, known for freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall.
The frost-covered mornings and biting cold nights indicate the valley is firmly in winter’s hold.
As the mercury dips, residents are preparing for the months ahead by stocking firewood, purchasing heavy woolens, and relying on traditional Kangris for warmth.
Farmers, meanwhile, are hopeful for significant snowfall this winter after last year’s prolonged dry spell, which left water sources depleted and crops under stress.
Meteorologists attribute the sharp decline in temperatures to clear skies and expect colder nights in the days ahead, urging residents to gear up for harsher conditions as winter intensifies.