SRINAGAR: A harsh cold wave swept across Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh on Wednesday, pushing temperatures to their lowest levels of the season and leaving vast parts of the region in freezing conditions.
In the Kashmir Valley, night temperatures plunged well below zero. Srinagar recorded a minimum of –5.1°C, while the airport was colder at –6.8°C. Tourist resorts saw sharper drops, with Gulmarg touching –9.2°C and Sonamarg –9.8°C. South Kashmir remained gripped by intense cold, as Pahalgam recorded –8.6°C, Shopian –7.8°C, Pulwama –6.8°C and Anantnag –6.3°C. Other areas, including Qazigund and Budgam (–5.4°C each), Baramulla (–5.3°C) and Kupwara (–5.1°C), also reported severe chill.
The Jammu region experienced comparatively milder, though still cold, conditions, particularly in higher areas. Bhaderwah recorded –3.4°C, while Rajouri settled at –1.0°C. Hill stations such as Batote (2.8°C), Banihal (3.7°C) and Udhampur (2.0°C) continued to feel the winter chill. Jammu city recorded a minimum temperature of 7.1°C, with the airport at 7.7°C.
Ladakh remained the coldest region, witnessing extreme sub-zero temperatures across all stations. Drass plunged to –24.7°C, while Nyoma recorded –20.1°C, Padum –17.2°C, Hanle –16.9°C and Leh –14.6°C. Other locations, including Tangste (–17.8°C), Upshi (–15.7°C) and Kargil (–13.4°C), continued to reel under intense cold.
Meteorological officials said the cold wave conditions are typical of the peak winter phase and urged people to take precautions, especially during night-time and early morning hours.
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 affected the Union Territory past week, bringing light rain and snowfall to parts of Kashmir, officials said.
