Kashmir, Ladakh Shiver as Temperatures Plunge Below Zero | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: Sub-zero temperatures continued to grip large parts of Kashmir and Ladakh, with Sonamarg in the Valley and Drass in Ladakh emerging as the coldest locations.

In the Kashmir Valley, Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of minus 2.6 degrees Celsius, while Qazigund settled at minus 2.8 degrees. Pahalgam registered a low of minus 4.8 degrees, Kupwara minus 3.8 degrees and Kokernag minus 0.9 degrees. Gulmarg, the ski resort in north Kashmir, recorded minus 4.2 degrees, while Pampore settled at minus 4.5 degrees.

Srinagar airport recorded a minimum of minus 3.8 degrees Celsius, Awantipora minus 3.2 degrees and Budgam minus 2.7 degrees. Anantnag registered minus 3.6 degrees, Baramulla minus 2.5 degrees, Bandipora minus 2.0 degrees and Pulwama minus 4.3 degrees. Shopian recorded minus 4.7 degrees, Kulgam minus 1.9 degrees and Ganderbal minus 1.8 degrees. Sonamarg was the coldest place in the Valley at minus 5.8 degrees.

In the Jammu region, minimum temperatures remained largely above the freezing point. Jammu city recorded a low of 7.1 degrees Celsius, Katra 7.6 degrees, Batote 4.6 degrees and Banihal 2.8 degrees. Bhaderwah settled at 0.2 degrees, while Rajouri recorded 1.6 degrees, officials said.

Ladakh continued to witness severe cold conditions, with Leh recording a minimum of minus 9.9 degrees Celsius and Kargil minus 9.2 degrees. Drass remained the coldest place in the region at minus 18.1 degrees, while Padum and Nyoma recorded lows of minus 14.5 and minus 15.3 degrees, respectively.

The Meteorological Department said cold and dry weather is likely to persist over the next few days. Jammu and Kashmir has also entered Chillai Kalan, the harshest phase of winter, which began on December 21 and lasts for 40 days, typically marked by freezing temperatures, snowfall and icy winds.