Jammu and Kashmir reels as severe cold and dry weather conditions have disrupted normal life in the region with sub-zero temperatures recorded at the majority of the weather stations in the valley, officials said on Monday.
As per Met forecasts, the cold and dry weather conditions are likely to affect the valley and parts of the Jammu division till December 21. Additionally, light snow and rainfall are likely to occur between the intervening nights of December 21 to 22.
Srinagar again settled at minus 3.4 for the second consecutive day, while Gulmarg recorded minus 4 and Pahalgam minus 5 as the minimum temperature.
Contrary to the valley, Jammu city recorded 5, Katra 6.9, Batote 4.5, Banihal 1 and Bhaderwah 3.9 as the minimum temperature. The icy cold wind in Jammu is restricting people to their homes.
Meanwhile, a 40-day-long harsh winter period of ‘Chillai Kalan’ also starts on December 21.
During this 40-day period, everything in Kashmir comes to a standstill, and the majority of the people prefer staying inside their homes. While people living in the urban city centres experience relatively less chill compared to villages.
Kashmiris store dried vegetables like brinjal, tomatoes, pumpkins, and bottle gourd during the autumn months.
As electricity shortages add to the misery of the people during the winters, people wear loose tweed overgarments, called the ‘Pheran’ by all locals, under which they keep an earthen firepot woven in a willow wicker basket called the ‘Kangri’.
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