Intense cold in Kashmir, Pahalgam records minus 14.3 deg C

Intense cold persisted in Kashmir on Friday, with Pahalgam recording its night temperature at minus 14.3 degrees Celsius, a meteorological department official said.

Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 13 degrees Celsius and its maximum temperature also remained below zero mark at 1.8 degrees Celsius, he said.

The minimum temperature in Srinagar was minus 1.9 degrees Celsius, up by a degree compared to Thursday, the official said.

Qazigund and Kokernag in south Kashmir recorded a low of minus 3.4 and minus 4.2 degrees Celsius respectively, he said.

Kupwara, in north of the Valley, registered a minimum of minus 6.1 degrees Celsius, the official said.

Kashmir is currently under the grip of 'Chillai-Kalan' - the 40-day harshest period of winter when the chances of snowfall are most frequent and the temperature drops considerably.

'Chillai-Kalan' begins on December 21 and ends on January 31, but the cold wave continues even after that. The 40-day period is followed by a 20-day long 'Chillai-Khurd' (small cold) and a 10-day long 'Chillai-Bachha' (baby cold).