SRINAGAR: Large parts of Kashmir recorded sub-zero minimum temperatures late night with Sonamarg emerging as the coldest place in the Valley at minus 7.3 degrees Celsius, according to official data.
Gulmarg logged a minimum temperature of minus 5.4 degrees Celsius, while Pahalgam recorded minus 4.4 degrees Celsius. Shopian and Pulwama also remained below freezing, registering minimum temperatures of minus 4.0 degrees Celsius and minus 3.8 degrees Celsius, respectively.
Srinagar Airport recorded a low of minus 3.4 degrees Celsius, while the city centre registered a minimum temperature of minus 2.2 degrees Celsius. Other parts of the Valley also experienced freezing conditions, with Anantnag at minus 2.7 degrees Celsius, Pampore at minus 2.5 degrees Celsius, Budgam at minus 2.3 degrees Celsius, Kupwara at minus 2.0 degrees Celsius and Qazigund at minus 1.8 degrees Celsius.
Further lows were reported from Awantipora at minus 1.6 degrees Celsius, Ganderbal at minus 1.5 degrees Celsius, Bandipora at minus 1.4 degrees Celsius, Baramulla at minus 0.9 degrees Celsius, Kokernag at minus 0.7 degrees Celsius and Kulgam at minus 0.5 degrees Celsius.
Officials said cold conditions continue to prevail across the Valley, which has entered Chillai Kalan, the harshest 40-day phase of winter, beginning on December 21 and lasting until January 31.
