Zojila Plunges to –16°C as Cold Wave in Jammu Kashmir Continues | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: Cold wave conditions persisted across Jammu and Kashmir, with several areas in the Kashmir Valley recording sub-zero minimum temperatures, while higher reaches experienced severe cold during the intervening night, officials said.

Data compiled by Kashmir Weather showed that Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of –1.6°C. Qazigund settled at –3.0°C, while Pahalgam recorded –2.8°C. Pampore, Anantnag, Pulwama and Shopian were among the coldest locations in the Valley, where temperatures dropped sharply to –4.0°C, –4.2°C, –4.4°C and –4.4°C respectively.

Gulmarg recorded a minimum of 1.6°C, while Kupwara and Bandipora each registered –2.2°C. Srinagar Airport reported –2.6°C, Awantipora –3.2°C and Baramulla –3.5°C. Sonamarg recorded 0.6°C, whereas the Zojila Pass witnessed extreme cold at –16.0°C.

In the Jammu region, comparatively milder conditions prevailed. Jammu city recorded a minimum temperature of 9.0°C, followed by Katra at 11.1°C and Kathua at 8.2°C. Banihal and Bhaderwah recorded 3.4°C each, Udhampur settled at 3.3°C, while Rajouri emerged as the coldest location in the region at 1.8°C.

In Ladakh, freezing conditions continued, with Leh recording a minimum temperature of –6.3°C, Kargil –5.8°C and Nubra Valley –5.0°C.

Weather experts said cold conditions are likely to persist across the Kashmir Valley and higher reaches over the next three days, with nights expected to remain particularly cold.