As a cold wave hit Jammu and Kashmir, the gap between the highest and lowest temperatures has become smaller. On Saturday, Srinagar recorded a low of minus 4.6 degrees Celsius, while Jammu had a low of 3.6 degrees Celsius.
Jammu city experienced its coldest night of the season on Saturday with a minimum temperature of 3.6 degrees Celsius. The day before, the maximum temperatures were 9.6 degrees in Srinagar and 21.9 degrees in Jammu.
In other areas, Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 7.6 degrees, and Pahalgam was even colder at minus 8.4 degrees. On Saturday, Katra had a low of 7.5 degrees, Batote 4.6 degrees, Banihal 4.9 degrees, and Bhaderwah minus 0.6 degrees.
The Meteorological Department has predicted that the weather will stay cold and dry until December 20, with the cold wave expected to get stronger.
The morning chill and frost have made it difficult for people to move around in Srinagar and other towns in the Valley. Many prefer to stay indoors to avoid the extreme cold. In the evenings, shops and businesses close early as people rush home to be with their families during the long, cold nights.
During winter, almost everyone in Kashmir wears a warm overcoat called the ‘Pheran.’ To keep warm, they use an earthen firepot called the ‘Kangri,’ which is filled with hot embers and kept under the Pheran.
Despite promises, the local administration has not been able to provide enough electricity to the people in the Valley, even though more people have been paying their bills recently.
This situation has led locals to rely on traditional methods to stay warm, trusting in their time-tested winter clothing and practices.
