Srinagar, Nov. 23 (LatestNewsX) – In Jammu and Kashmir, the overnight low in Srinagar hit a season‑low of ‑2.8 °C, while Jammu’s cold snap capped off at 10.1 °C. According to meteorologists, the city recorded its coldest night yet, with Pahalgam registering ‑3.5 °C and Gulmarg at zero. The update also mentioned other local lows: Jammu 10.1 °C, Katra 9.8 °C, Batote 4.5 °C, Banihal ‑0.5 °C, and Bhaderwah 0.5 °C.
Officials added that temperatures are expected to stay stable through December 2, though the minimums could fall even more in the coming days. Because the bitter chill arrived early, schools through eighth grade have been granted winter break starting December 1.
Residents are layering woolens and bundling thick mufflers around their necks to beat the knife‑sharp winds rushing in from the snow‑blanketed peaks. The region’s go‑to winter garment is the tweed “Pheran,” which keeps the cold at bay. Layered beneath a loose‑fitting Pheran, a willow‑wicker “Kangri”—a pot filled with live charcoal—provides extra heat.
Each year the 40‑day winter spell, known locally as “Chillai Kalan,” runs from December 21 to January 30. During this season, many water bodies freeze as temperatures dip between ‑5 and ‑7 °C. In towns, people light small fires by taps to thaw them in the mornings, while mornings are often shrouded in dense fog that makes roads slick and travel perilous.
Doctors warn especially young children and older adults to shield themselves from the harsh cold air, the leading culprit behind winter lung illnesses. Wearing a woolen muffler or other substantial cloth over the face in the morning can help keep cold air out of the lungs.
Even with these challenges, Kashmiris eagerly anticipate the snowy months that blanket the landscape in white and refill the mountain reservoirs, sustaining springs, streams, lakes, and rivers for the following summers.
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