Sub-Zero Cold Persists Across Kashmir, Ladakh | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: Cold conditions continued to grip Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh on Wednesday, with several areas in the Kashmir Valley and the Union Territory of Ladakh recording sub-zero minimum temperatures, officials said.

In the Kashmir Valley, Srinagar registered a minimum temperature of minus 1.6 degrees Celsius, while the airport recorded a lower minus 2.2 degrees. Qazigund recorded 0.1 degrees Celsius, Pahalgam minus 7.2 degrees, Kupwara minus 3.6 degrees, Kokernag minus 2.3 degrees and Gulmarg minus 7.6 degrees.

Among the districts, Pulwama recorded a low of minus 5.1 degrees Celsius, Shopian minus 4.3 degrees, Budgam minus 2.4 degrees, Baramulla minus 3.0 degrees, Anantnag minus 0.7 degrees and Zethan Rafiabad minus 4.8 degrees. Sonamarg emerged as the coldest location in the Valley at minus 10.1 degrees Celsius, while Pampore and Kulgam recorded comparatively higher minimums of 1.0 degree Celsius each.

In the Jammu region, minimum temperatures remained above freezing in most areas. Jammu city recorded 8.7 degrees Celsius, while the airport registered 9.3 degrees. Banihal recorded 2.3 degrees, Batote 3.1 degrees, Bhaderwah minus 2.6 degrees, Katra 6.4 degrees, Kathua 7.8 degrees and Udhampur 6.6 degrees Celsius. Ramban recorded 7.2 degrees, Samba 6.6 degrees, Rajouri 1.0 degree, Kishtwar 0.1 degree, Reasi 8.3 degrees and Doda 2.5 degrees Celsius.

Ladakh continued to experience intense cold, with Leh recording a minimum temperature of minus 13.4 degrees Celsius. The cold was more severe in higher-altitude areas, where Drass recorded minus 22.8 degrees, Nyoma minus 20.2 degrees, Kargil minus 11.6 degrees and Padum minus 16.8 degrees Celsius.

Meteorological officials said cold weather conditions are likely to persist across the region. They added that Jammu and Kashmir is currently witnessing largely dry weather during “Chillai Kalan”, the harshest 40-day winter period that began on December 21. A weak western disturbance affected the Union Territory last week, bringing light rainfall and snowfall to parts of north Kashmir.