As November still holds its place on the calendar, winter has already tightened its icy grip over Kashmir. The Valley, accustomed to harsh winters, finds itself once again battling the familiar yet deepening hardships that accompany the season: sub-zero temperatures, power scarcity, and the frantic search for firewood and coal to keep the traditional kangris warm.
This year, the cold has arrived with unusual intensity. On Sunday night, temperatures plunged across Jammu & Kashmir, setting the tone for what may be a long, testing winter. Srinagar shivered at -3.2°C, Qazigund at -2.5°C, Kupwara at -3.2°C, and Gulmarg at -1.9°C. The higher reaches were even colder, with Pahalgam dipping to -4.0°C. South Kashmir’s Pulwama and Shopian emerged among the coldest habitations, recording -5.0°C and -5.1°C, while the unforgiving passes like Zojila froze at a staggering -16°C.
Ladakh’s cold desert lived up to its reputation: Leh at -8.2°C, Kargil at -8.6°C, Drass at -10.3°C, Nyoma at -11.8°C, and Padum at -9.3°C—all reminders of the region’s extreme vulnerability. In contrast, the Jammu plains remained relatively temperate, though Banihal and Bhaderwah edged close to freezing at -1.2°C and 0.5°C, respectively.
What amplifies the distress is not merely the mercury’s fall, but the predictable cascade of difficulties that follow. Power cuts—now a perennial feature of Kashmir winters—push households toward costlier and often unsafe alternatives. Kangris, once symbols of comfort and culture, have again become essential survival tools. The rush to procure coal and the rising cost of basic heating fuels highlight the administration’s chronic inability to anticipate and cushion the impact of winter on everyday life.
The Meteorological Centre Srinagar’s forecast of largely dry weather until early December offers some respite, though fog is likely to persist across many parts of the Valley, adding to travel hazards. A slight possibility of snowfall over the higher reaches on December 2 and 3 may give locals a fleeting sense of seasonal charm, yet it brings its own logistical challenges—from slippery roads to further power disruptions.
As temperatures are set to dip another 1–2°C from November 22, the coming weeks demand both preparedness and empathy. The administration must move beyond routine advisories and act decisively—ensuring adequate power supply, regulating fuel availability, and improving road safety measures. For a region that endures such extremes year after year.
