No respite in sight: Dry spell stretches until Jan 23 in Kashmir Valley

A Valley Shivering in Dry Sunshine: Kashmir Faces Prolonged Spell of Arid Winters

Kashmir, typically blanketed in a pristine winter coat, faces an unusual adversary this year: prolonged dryness. The Meteorological Department’s forecast paints a stark picture – no respite from the relentless sunshine until January 23rd. This parched expanse stretches across the valley, with Srinagar, the summer capital, shivering at a bone-chilling minus 4.6 degrees Celsius on Thursday. Pahalgam and Gulmarg, famed winter havens, fared no better, recording bone-chilling temperatures of minus 5.8 degrees Celsius and minus 4.5 degrees Celsius, respectively.

This unrelenting dryness casts a long shadow over the ongoing “Chilla-i-Kalan,” the 40-day period of harshest winter. While nighttime temperatures dip as low as minus 6 degrees Celsius in some areas like Konibal, daytime brings an unnatural warmth, with temperatures hovering 4-5 degrees above normal. Locals recall similar patterns in the winters of 2018 and 2014, raising concerns about a worrying trend of increasingly frequent dry spells every five to six years.

The stark absence of snow is especially concerning. Both December and January witnessed a significant deficit in precipitation, leaving most plains parched and yearning for the white embrace of winter. This lack of snowfall not only paints a desolate landscape but also poses serious concerns for water levels in the coming months.

A glimmer of hope, however faint, shines in the MeT’s prediction of isolated rain on January 24th. But until then, Kashmir must endure the grip of this unusual winter – a valley shimmering in dry sunshine, longing for the touch of snow.