Freezing cold gripped Jammu and Kashmir Tuesday, with Gulmarg’s mercury crashing to -5.5°C amid clear skies that won’t last. Meteorologists predict a turbulent week ahead, with light to heavy snowfall and rain likely from January 22 evening until the 28th.
Nighttime lows painted a frigid picture: Srinagar at -3.4°C, Pahalgam -4.4°C, Gulmarg -5.5°C. Jammu division saw milder but still chilly figures—Jammu and Katra at 7.4°C, Batote 2.5°C, Banihal -1.6°C, Bhadarwah -1.2°C.
The culprit? Twin Western Disturbances sweeping in from the west, set to unleash precipitation across middle and upper elevations. Expect roadblocks on major arteries like the Jammu-Srinagar highway, flight delays, and perilous conditions from landslides, slush flows, and fierce winds gusting 40-60 km/h.
In a proactive advisory, the weather office calls on tourists, commuters, and locals to rethink itineraries. Avalanche-prone areas are no-go zones; farmers should pause field work involving water, manure, or pesticides.
Originating as Mediterranean cyclones, these disturbances are crucial for rabi harvests in northern India and neighbors. They bring relief to parched fields but spell chaos for J&K’s infrastructure and daily life. Stay informed, stay safe as the storm brews.