Srinagar- The cold wave has tightened its grip across Kashmir with majority of the areas recording the season’s coldest night including Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir.
As per the details available, Srinagar has recorded the season’s lowest temperature at minus 4.1 degree Celsius, marking the coldest night here while Shopian in South Kashmir, was the coldest place at minus 6.6 degree Celsius.
The Meteorological department has shared the details of minimum temperature, revealing that Srinagar has recorded a low of minus 4.1 degree Celsius against previous night’s minus 2.1 degree Celsius.
Furthermore, Shopian was the coldest place in Kashmir where the mercury settled at minus 6.6 degree Celsius. Pahalgam, a famous tourist destination, recorded a low of minus 6.5 degree Celsius while Gulmarg, a famous ski-resort, recorded a low of minus 4.3 degree Celsius.
Also, Qazigund, a gateway of Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 4.4 degree Celsius while Kupwara in north Kashmir recorded minus 3.4 degree Celsius. Kokernag in South Kashmir recorded a low of minus 2.4 degree Celsius.
Furthermore, the weatherman here has predicted further dip in the night temperature, saying that there is no forecast of any major wet spell weather and the minimum temperature would likely go down as well.
Director Meteorological department (MeT), Dr Mukhtar Ahmad said that the weather would remain generally dry till tomorrow, adding that generally cloudy weather with possibility of light rain over few plains & hilly areas of Jammu division & light rain and snow (higher reaches) over few places of Kashmir division during late evening of 8th to 9th forenoon.
He said that a few places of Jammu division may experience thunder with gusty winds during the 8th evening and night.
However, he said that from December 10 to 14, the weather would remain generally dry, adding that on December 15 & 16, light rain and snow is expected over isolated places.
Notably, the department of Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation & Reconstruction (DMRRR) has issued a comprehensive advisory to combat ongoing cold wave conditions.
The Advisory has highlighted the need to pay special attention to vulnerable groups like the elderly and children during the cold wave phases.
The guidelines issued by the J&K’s DMRRR department focus on safety measures for individuals, animals, and crops to mitigate the risks associated with severe cold weather.
During the cold wave phase, the advisory has asked residents in the region to limit outdoor exposure and dress in multiple layers of clothing. It has also insisted on using protective gear like hats, mufflers, and insulated shoes.
“Stay indoors as much as possible and minimize travel to prevent exposure to cold. Maintain warmth through healthy food, hot drinks, and proper hydration. Keep yourself dry. If wet then cover your head, neck, hands and toes adequately as the majority of heat loss occurs through these body parts. Change wet clothes immediately,” reads the advisory.
The advisory has also flagged to take care of elderly people, newborns and children and check neighbours who live alone, especially the elderly about their wellbeing.
“Cover your head as most body heat is lost through the top of the head. Drink hot fluids regularly, as this will maintain body heat to fight cold,” reads the advisory.
Before the cold wave, the advisory recommended staying updated on weather forecasts through radio, TV, and newspapers. It has also asked to stock essential items, including winter clothing, food, water, and emergency supplies.
“Ensure doors and windows are properly sealed to block cold winds,” states the DMRRR advisory.
In case of exposure to cold wave conditions, and to address frostbite and hypothermia, the advisory has stated to promptly warm affected areas and seek medical attention and not to ignore shivering, stating that It is the first sign that the body is losing heat.
The advisory has asked to avoid alcohol, stating that it reduces body temperature.
With regard to the agricultural and animal husbandry guidelines, the advisory states that farmers should irrigate plants lightly to protect crops and use mulch to preserve warmth.
The advisory reads that cultivating frost-resistant varieties and sheltering fields with windbreaks are recommended.
“Mulching nursery beds of soil near the main trunk with black or silver plastic sheets increase radiation absorption and provide a warmer thermal regime during winter. In case plastic mulch is not available, making thatches (jhuggis) of straw or Sarkanda grass or organic mulching will also protect crops from cold,” reads the advisory.
For animals, the advisory states that livestock and poultry should be sheltered indoors, provided with bedding materials, and fed high-quality forage to meet increased energy demands during cold weather.
It also states that during Cold waves animals and livestock require more food for sustenance as the energy requirement goes up. It adds that extreme variations in temperature may affect the fertility rate of animals, during the optimum breeding season for buffaloes /cattle.
“Cover the animal habitat from all sides during night in order to avoid direct exposure of animals to cold winds. Apply some bedding materials such as dry straw under animals during winters. Avoid giving cold feed and cold water to the animals,” states the advisory.
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