Srinagar records coldest night of the season; Chillai Kalan brings worry for water supply

Srinagar: The night from Thursday to Friday was reported to be the coldest one of the season for Jammu and Kashmir’s Srinagar city, with the temperature dropping down to minus 5.1 degrees Celsius.

Mukhtar Ahmed, the local Meteorological (MeT) Department head, mentioned hat this is the record low temperature for the city this winter.

Record low temperatures across the valley

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A very cold night was experienced in various parts of the Valley. The lowest temperature of the night was minus 9.2 degrees Celsius at Gulmarg and minus 8.6 degrees Celsius at Pahalgam, while Jammu city was relatively warmer at 7.1 degrees Celsius.

As for the other places, Katra was at 4.1 degrees, Batote had 2.8 degrees, Banihal had 3.7 degrees, and Bhaderwah had minus 3.4 degrees as the night’s coldest temperatures.

The MeT Department has predicted cold and dry weather lasting until January 20, which has led to fears of drought in the months to come already.

Importance of Chillai Kalan for water supply

The residents of Kashmir are particularly concerned because Chillai Kalan, the 40-day-long period of severely cold weather that started on December 21 and will end on January 30, is upon them.

“Abundant snow during this time is essential for the filling of the year-round water reservoirs in the mountains, which then supply rivers, streams, springs, lakes, and wells in summer.

The experts said that the snowfall in February and March will fast be gone and will not be able to replace the overwinter water storage from Chillai Kalan.

This winter, we are already in the middle of it, and still, there is no record of any snowfall in Srinagar, which is not good for both farmers and residents who rely on the mentioned reservoirs for water in summer.

Health concerns in the cold

The cold and dry climate has delivered the health issue among the population.

Lung and heart diseases have been reported more often by doctors, particularly early in the morning when the cold is at its peak. People with such ailments have been advised to remain indoors during the morning and not to come in contact with the cold air outside.

Kashmiris have resorted to wearing several warm clothes as a way to survive the freezing temperatures. Woollen jerseys, caps, and mufflers along with the 'Pheran,' which is the traditional tweed overgarment, are among the items worn by many to stay warm in the extreme cold.

Hope for snow and water security

Although the cold was still there, the Valley saw a very brief and weak winter sun on Thursday that could not heat the air much. A clear sky resulted in sunshine, but that only made the morning chill a little less severe.

The inhabitants are wishing for the snow very soon which not only will make winter more pleasant but also will make sure the water reservoirs are full again.

Until that day, the people still wearing warm clothes and are taking the necessary precautions against the harshness of the winter.

Lows in temperature remain constant alongside the continuation of Chillai Kalan, this has left the Kashmiris to not forget about the winter snowfall being essential for the summer water security while at the same time worrying about the dry, snowless winter being a threat to agriculture, drinking water, and daily life in the Valley.