No wet spell on cards till Dec 5: Director MeT
TDD Correspondent
Srinagar, (TDD) Kashmir is currently experiencing a sharp drop in temperatures across the region as the winter season starts to tighten its grip across the Valley.
According to the fresh figures, the mercury has plummeted well below freezing in several areas, with Srinagar recording a minimum night temperature of -1.2°C. Other notable low temperatures include Anantnag at -3.5°C and Shopian at -3.6°C.
The coldest spot in the Kashmir Valley was Pahalgam, where temperatures dipped to -2.3°C, while Gulmarg registered a chilly -0.6°C. In contrast, areas in Jammu such as Jammu city (11.3°C) and Katra (10.4°C) remain significantly warmer compared to the northern and central parts of the region.
Also, the cold also extends to Ladakh, with Leh recording -6.2°C and Drass, known for its harsh winters, dipping to -7.0°C.
The sudden drop in temperatures is a clear indication that winter is setting in, bringing with it the characteristic chill that Kashmir is known for during this season.
In the meanwhile, Director of the Meteorological Department (MeT), Mukhtar Ahmed, told the Diplomat, there would be no wet spell in the region until at least December 5, 2024. This means that residents of Kashmir can expect clear skies and dry weather for the coming weeks but more intense chill during nights.
Similarly, experts believe that this dry spell may lead to further drops in temperatures, especially during the night, but it will also allow the region to brace for the heavier snowfall expected later in the winter.
The region is likely to experience more severe cold conditions as the winter progresses, with experts urging people to take necessary precautions against the biting cold, especially in the higher altitudes of the Kashmir Valley and in Ladakh.—(TDD)