Night temperatures in the Kashmir Valley fell below freezing due to clear skies, with Srinagar recording a minimum of minus 2.2 degrees Celsius. Gulmarg and Pahalgam saw even lower temperatures at minus 5.8 and minus 4.4 degrees, respectively.
Jammu experienced milder temperatures with the city at 8.1 degrees Celsius, while Katra, Batote, Banihal, and Bhaderwah recorded minimums ranging from 0.3 to 8.4 degrees. Residents in Srinagar were spotted lighting fires to de-freeze water taps, a rare sight after many days.
Despite the bone-chilling cold, a sunny morning brought some relief to the Valley. In Jammu, although nights are cold, the temperatures are comparatively milder than in the Valley. Tourists have flocked to Kashmir post-snowfall, preparing to celebrate Christmas and New Year in scenic locations like Gulmarg.
Hotels in Srinagar and Gulmarg are gradually bustling with activity as the tourism sector anticipates a surge in visitors in the upcoming year. The ‘Chillai Kalan’, a 40-day period of intense winter cold, has commenced, characterized by narrowing day-night temperature gaps leading to partial or complete freezing of water bodies.
The ‘Kangri’, a traditional earthenware pot filled with charcoal embers, remains a popular choice for locals to stay warm during the harsh winter. This period witnesses minimum temperatures dropping significantly, barely touching two digits, while the ‘Kangri’ serves as a practical solution to combat the cold.
