Cold intensifies in Kashmir as Shopian freezes at minus 8.2°C

Temperatures plunged further across the Kashmir Valley during the ongoing ‘Chilla-i-Kalan’, the harshest phase of winter , with Shopian in south Kashmir emerging as the coldest place at minus 8.2 degrees Celsius , while clear skies caused parts of Dal Lake and other water bodies to freeze , officials said.

Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of minus 5.7 degrees Celsius on Friday night, marginally higher than the previous night’s minus 6.0 degrees Celsius, the coldest so far this season in the city. The temperature remained 3.8 degrees Celsius below the seasonal average , they said.

The intense cold led to the freezing of interior portions of Dal Lake , while shallow streams and canals across the Valley also developed ice layers , disrupting normal daily life.

In south Kashmir, Shopian was the coldest location , with the mercury settling at minus 8.2 degrees Celsius . Pahalgam , a popular tourist resort and one of the base camps for the annual Amarnath Yatra , recorded a low of minus 7.8 degrees Celsius .

The ski resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district registered a minimum temperature of minus 6.8 degrees Celsius , an improvement from minus 7.2 degrees Celsius the previous night. Sonamarg , in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, recorded a low of minus 6.3 degrees Celsius .

Qazigund , the gateway town of the Valley, recorded its coldest night of the season at minus 6.3 degrees Celsius , while Kokernag recorded minus 4.0 degrees Celsius and Kupwara minus 6.1 degrees Celsius , officials said.

Kashmir is currently witnessing ‘Chilla-i-Kalan’, a 40-day spell of extreme cold from December 21 to January 30 , which is traditionally marked by the coldest temperatures and the highest chances of snowfall .

The severe cold has disrupted daily life , with residents facing frozen water supply lines , increased dependence on kangris, heaters and other heating devices , and difficult early-morning travel due to icy road conditions .

However, the plains of the Valley have not received any snowfall so far this season , an unusual development during Chilla-i-Kalan . The absence of snowfall has raised concerns over water availability, horticulture and winter tourism , as snow acts as a natural reservoir and protects crops and infrastructure from frost damage .

Meteorologists said that while Chilla-i-Kalan will end later this month , winter will continue in a milder form during the subsequent ‘Chilla-i-Khurd’ and ‘Chilla-i-Bachha’ phases , with a gradual easing of cold and the possibility of late snowfall .

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast dry but cloudy weather till January 21 , with no major precipitation expected during this period.