Winter arrived with full force in Srinagar, delivering the season’s coldest night at minus 5.1 degrees Celsius. The mercury’s dramatic fall painted the valley in hues of ice and mist, underscoring the region’s extreme seasonal shifts.
Weather stations clocked the record low before dawn, confirming what residents already felt in their bones. Mughal gardens shimmered under a layer of hoarfrost, and the Jhelum River’s surface showed early signs of freezing. This marks a turning point from autumn’s lingering warmth.
Preceding days saw cloudy conditions that trapped some heat, but Wednesday’s clear skies allowed rapid cooling. Radiation frost blanketed open areas, while sheltered valleys experienced even sharper drops.
Public response was immediate. Markets overflowed with buyers seeking electric blankets and firewood. Public transport operators added extra runs for early workers braving the cold. Health officials recommended precautions against hypothermia, especially for the elderly and infants.
Meteorological analysis points to a deepening trough over Central Asia funneling frigid air southward. Models predict sustained cold through the next 72 hours, with possibilities of light snow in plains by Sunday.
Daily life adapted resiliently. Children played in frosty yards bundled in multiple layers, while adults sipped kahwa to ward off chills. The cold also preserved local apples longer, benefiting growers facing delayed harvests.
As Jammu and Kashmir enters peak winter mode, infrastructure strains begin to show. Power demand surges for heating, testing the grid. Road clearing equipment stands ready for inevitable snowfalls. This freeze serves as a wake-up call, reminding all of winter’s unyielding grip on the paradise valley.