La Niña impact, prolonged dry spell led to cold wave in Kashmir: MeT

Srinagar: The cold wave has tightened its grip across Kashmir with the weatherman claiming that the ongoing weather conditions was the outcome of prolonged dry spell in plains, snowfall in higher reaches and the effect of La Niña as well.
The local Meteorological department has predicted cold wave at isolated places across the Valley. The MeT has issued a ‘yellow alert’ for the next couple of days at isolated places. Director MeT, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad said that the cold wave conditions across Kashmir is not a new phenomenon though, but at present it is the outcome of prolonged dry spell, snowfall in the higher reaches and also the impact of La Niña.
Pertinently, Kashmir parts, mostly plains, are experiencing the prolonged dry spell while the deficit rainfall in this season starting from October 01, 2024 to December 18, 2024 increasing to 78 per cent across Jammu and Kashmir. The increase in the deficit precipitation has been witnessed amidst no forecast of any major wet spell for the next ten days in Jammu and Kashmir.
Moreover, the MeT Director said the situation is expected to continue for the next few days, but the night temperatures would likely improve between December 27 and 31st.
“We have seen such conditions in the past as well and today the prolonged dry spell, snowfall in the higher reaches and the impact of La Nina is leading to the present situation,” he said