Drass Freezes at −24.6°C as Deep Cold Grips Kashmir | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: Severe cold conditions continued across Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh on Saturday as minimum temperatures plunged well below freezing at most places, with Drass in Ladakh recording the lowest temperature at minus 24.6 degrees Celsius, officials said.

In the Kashmir region, Shopian registered the coldest night at minus 8.2°C, followed closely by Pulwama at minus 8.0°C and Pahalgam at minus 7.8°C. Srinagar recorded a low of minus 5.7°C, while the temperature at Srinagar Airport dropped to minus 7.2°C. Other parts of the Valley also witnessed intense cold, with Sopore at minus 7.6°C, Gulmarg at minus 6.8°C, Qazigund and Sonamarg at minus 6.3°C each, and Baramulla at minus 5.8°C. Kulgam recorded no data.

In the Jammu region, temperatures were comparatively higher, though some areas dipped close to or below the freezing point. Jammu city recorded a minimum of 3.6°C, while Jammu Airport logged 3.0°C. Banihal reported minus 0.4°C, Bhaderwah minus 2.8°C, and Samba and Rajouri minus 1.6°C each. Udhampur settled at 0.2°C, while Batote and Ramban recorded 1.3°C and 1.1°C respectively. Data for Doda and Poonch was not available.

Ladakh continued to experience extreme cold, with Hanle at minus 17.0°C, Nyoma at minus 20.3°C, Padum at minus 19.6°C and Nubra Valley at minus 13.5°C. Leh recorded a minimum of minus 14.4°C, while Kargil settled at minus 13.7°C.

The weather across Jammu and Kashmir has remained largely dry during Chillai Kalan, the 40-day harshest winter period that began on December 21. A weak Western Disturbance had affected the Union Territory few weeks ago, bringing light rain and snowfall to parts of Kashmir.