Kashmir Cold Wave 2025: Sub-Zero Temperatures, 500 MW Power Deficit & Deepening Early Winter Chill
By: Javid Amin | 02 November 2025
Early December has brought a sharp and unforgiving drop in temperatures across Kashmir, intensifying the winter chill much ahead of the traditional timeline. While the harsh 40-day period of Chillai-Kalan officially begins on December 21, its shadow has already fallen on the Valley — marked by freezing nights, frost-covered mornings, and a biting cold worsened by an unprecedented power shortage.
Residents, tourists, and businesses alike are feeling the impact of a winter that arrived earlier, faster, and colder than usual.
Weather Snapshot: Kashmir Enters the Freeze Mode
Shopian at –5°C: The Coldest District Right Now
Among all districts, Shopian continues to remain the coldest point in the Valley. At –5°C, the district has slipped into a deep freeze, with thin layers of frost forming on fields, rooftops, and parked vehicles by dawn. Residents report that water storage tanks and pipes are beginning to freeze overnight — a classic indicator of the harsh winter ahead.
Srinagar, Pulwama & Anantnag Sink Below Freezing
Much of central and south Kashmir is witnessing sharp temperature dips, with:
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Srinagar hovering around freezing temperatures
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Pulwama experiencing frost-laden mornings
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Anantnag seeing icy winds cutting across residential areas
The Valley’s famous early-morning fog is back too, reducing visibility and leaving a thin layer of moisture that freezes as the temperature drops.
Early Signs of Chillai-Kalan
Although Chillai-Kalan — the most intense phase of Kashmir’s winter — begins later in December, locals say the “Chillai-Kalan touch” has already arrived.
The cold winds, freezing nights, and early frost patterns strongly resemble the peak winter days that were once expected only toward late December.
Snowfall Outlook: No Major Snow Before December 15
Despite the dropping temperatures, the Meteorological Department has clarified:
No heavy snowfall is expected in Kashmir until at least December 15.
Only light snowfall is possible in the higher reaches such as:
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Gulmarg
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Sonamarg
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Kupwara upper belts
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Zojila heights
This absence of major snowfall benefits road travelers for now but also means no natural insulation effect, which often moderates extreme night temperatures.
Power Crisis Deepens the Cold: 500 MW Deficit Hits Kashmir
Perhaps the harshest blow to winter life this year is the massive 500 MW electricity shortfall. This deficit has triggered:
Unscheduled power cuts across rural and urban Kashmir
Even areas that normally enjoy near-24×7 power are experiencing:
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Broken schedules
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Abrupt outages
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Reduced load distribution
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Power windows shrinking to only a few hours in some places
Household Impact: Kangris & Wood Stoves Make a Comeback
With heating appliances largely unusable due to outages, families are relying on:
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Kangris (traditional firepots)
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Bukharis (wood stoves)
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Thick pherans and heavy blankets
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Kahwa and nun chai to maintain body warmth
These scenes evoke an older Kashmir, long before home heaters and electric blankets became common.
Tourism & Business Take a Hit
Hotels and guest houses report rising operational issues:
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Inconsistent heating in tourist rooms
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Difficulty maintaining hot water services
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Higher diesel consumption for backup generators
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Decline in walk-in customers
Shops and small businesses face:
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Lower footfall during evening hours
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Higher heating costs
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Limited operational hours due to cold and outages
Travel & Connectivity: Roads Stable but Frosty
Because no major snowfall has occurred yet, road connectivity remains stable for now. However:
Icy patches on highways
Morning frost creates slippery surfaces, especially in:
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Qazigund
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Pampore
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Charar-e-Sharief route
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Kupwara–Handwara belt
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Higher reaches of Baramulla and Bandipora
Zojila, Mughal Road & Sinthan Top
Although open at intervals, these routes experience:
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Night-time freezing
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Black ice formation
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Strong, freezing winds
Travellers are advised to avoid early morning drives when temperatures are at their lowest.
Lifestyle Adjustments: Kashmir Embraces Its Winter Traditions
As temperatures dip, daily life across the Valley undergoes a seasonal transformation.
Kangris Under the Pheran
The kangri — a small clay pot woven with wicker, filled with charcoal — is once again a winter staple.
People carry it inside their pherans, creating a natural portable heater.
Kahwa & Nun Chai Dominate Mornings
Warm traditional beverages help the body endure the cold. Kahwa with saffron and dry fruits is especially popular during early winter.
Markets Fill With Woolens & Dried Vegetables
Kashmiris begin stocking:
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Dried vegetables like hokh suen
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Warm pherans
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Heavy blankets
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Charcoal for kangris
School Exams in Freezing Weather
With board exams underway, children often leave home just as temperatures hit the day’s lowest. Many carry kangris or hot water bottles for warmth.
Seasonal Context: A Glimpse Into What Lies Ahead
Chillai-Kalan: The 40-Day Harshest Winter (Dec 21–Jan 31)
Kashmiris are psychologically preparing for the coldest portion of winter. Chillai-Kalan typically brings:
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Prolonged sub-zero spells
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Heavy snowfall events
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Frozen lakes (Dal, Wular edges)
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Thick frost layers
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Frequent power cuts
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Travel disruptions
Snowfall Pattern Shifts
In recent years, major snow spells have shifted towards late December or early January. This aligns with the current forecast of no major snow before Dec 15.
Agriculture & Horticulture
Chillai-Kalan is crucial for apple orchards and saffron fields, as extended cold spells help kill pests and stabilize soil moisture.
What This Means for the Coming Weeks
1. Power restoration will be key
Without stabilizing the electricity supply, daily life will grow more difficult.
2. Tourism may decline temporarily
Unless heating issues are fixed, December bookings might soften — though snow sports will revive tourism once snowfall begins.
3. Frost & black ice risks will increase
Even without snow, the Valley can become dangerously slippery.
4. The cold wave will intensify further
With chillai-kalan approaching, expect:
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Colder nights
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Longer freezing spells
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Lower day temperatures
Final Word: Kashmir Enters Deep Winter Earlier Than Usual
The Valley is experiencing a winter that has arrived ahead of schedule, colder than expected, and harder to manage due to power shortages.
While no major snowfall is on the horizon yet, the intensifying chill is a reminder that the toughest weeks of the season are still ahead.
As Kashmir inches closer to Chillai-Kalan, the community prepares with its traditional resilience — switching to kangris, warming homes with kahwa, and adjusting life to the rhythm of winter.
