Unabated cold and chilly winds persisted in Kashmir on Thursday, with Jammu city also experiencing unusually cold weather. Jammu recorded a maximum temperature of 7.4 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 4.4 degrees Celsius. The city faced dense fog throughout the day, exacerbating the cold conditions.
Jammu city saw its 4th lowest maximum temperature ever at 7.4 degrees Celsius. In comparison, the maximum temperature in January 1986 was 5 degrees, 6.7 degrees in 2013, and 7.1 degrees in 2016. Meanwhile, Srinagar reported a minimum temperature of minus 3.9 degrees Celsius, with Gulmarg at minus 3.2 and Pahalgam at 5 degrees.
The Meteorological Department has predicted the arrival of a weak Western Disturbance on January 16, bringing rain and snow to Jammu and Kashmir. This will be followed by two more Western Disturbances, likely resulting in the season’s first snowfall in the Valley’s plains. The absence of significant snowfall so far has raised concerns across the region, as the water bodies crucial for agriculture and drinking water await replenishment during the ‘Chillai Kalan’ period.
