SRINAGAR: Cold conditions continued across Kashmir and Ladakh on Saturday, with large parts of the Valley recording sub-zero night temperatures, while Ladakh remained in the grip of intense cold, officials said.
In Ladakh, temperatures stayed well below the freezing point, with Leh recording a minimum of minus 10.6 degrees Celsius. Kargil was colder at minus 11.2 degrees Celsius, while Nubra Valley registered a low of minus 8.2 degrees Celsius.
Across Kashmir, freezing nights were reported at several locations. Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of minus 1.5 degrees Celsius, while Srinagar Airport logged minus 2.0 degrees Celsius, according to data compiled by Kashmir Weather. Gulmarg emerged as the coldest place in the Valley at minus 6.5 degrees Celsius, followed by Pahalgam at minus 5.2 degrees Celsius.
Other areas of south and central Kashmir also witnessed sharp temperature drops. Shopian recorded minus 4.7 degrees Celsius, Pulwama minus 3.9 degrees, Anantnag minus 3.0 degrees and Qazigund minus 2.6 degrees Celsius. Awantipora and Budgam recorded minimum temperatures of minus 2.4 degrees and minus 2.0 degrees Celsius, respectively.
In north Kashmir, Kupwara and Ganderbal both recorded minus 1.6 degrees Celsius, while Kokernag registered minus 0.8 degrees Celsius. Baramulla and Bandipora experienced relatively milder conditions, recording minus 0.5 degrees and minus 0.2 degrees Celsius, respectively, while Kulgam recorded a low of 1.3 degrees Celsius.
The Jammu region remained above freezing, though winter chill persisted, particularly in the higher reaches. Jammu city recorded a minimum temperature of 7.9 degrees Celsius, while Jammu Airport registered 8.8 degrees Celsius. Bhaderwah was the coldest place in the region, recording minus 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Elsewhere in the Jammu region, minimum temperatures were recorded at 2.7 degrees Celsius in Banihal, 4.2 degrees in Batote, 5.0 degrees in Udhampur, 3.2 degrees in Rajouri and 3.6 degrees in Kishtwar.
Weather officials said cold conditions are likely to persist over the coming days, especially in higher reaches, with night temperatures expected to remain below normal in several areas.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir continues to witness largely dry weather during Chillai Kalan—the 40-day harshest winter period that began on December 21 last year. A weak Western Disturbance affected the Union Territory two days ago, bringing light rain and snowfall to parts of Kashmir, officials added.
