Parts of Dal Lake in Srinagar froze as Kashmir valley recorded its coldest night of the winter, with temperatures falling well below the freezing point. The intense cold wave affected several parts of the valley, including major tourist destinations and gateway towns, during the ongoing harsh winter period known as Chilla-i-Kalan.
Srinagar Records Season’s Coldest Night
Srinagar registered a minimum temperature of minus 6.0 degrees Celsius, lower than the previous night’s minus 5.1 degrees Celsius. This was the coldest night of the season in the city so far. The minimum temperature remained 4.1 degrees below the seasonal average.
Water Bodies Freeze in Valley
The severe cold led to partial freezing of several water bodies, including inner areas of Dal Lake. Ice formation was also seen on rocks and stone structures in parts of the valley. The freezing conditions reflected the intensity of the ongoing cold wave across Jammu and Kashmir.
Coldest Places in Kashmir Valley
- Pahalgam recorded minus 7.6 degrees Celsius and remained the coldest place in the Union Territory.
- Gulmarg recorded minus 7.2 degrees Celsius.
- Qazigund registered minus 6.2 degrees Celsius, its coldest of the season.
- Kupwara recorded minus 5.8 degrees Celsius, while Sonamarg stood at minus 5.4 degrees Celsius.
Chilla-i-Kalan and Weather Outlook
The valley is under Chilla-i-Kalan, the 40-day period of severe winter that began on 21 December and ends on 30 January. Despite the extreme cold, the plains of Kashmir have not received snowfall this season so far. The weather is expected to remain dry but cloudy for the next few days, while night temperatures may fall further before rising slightly later.
Last Modified: April 25, 2026