SRINAGAR: The winter chill has tightened its grip across Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh, with several areas recording freezing sub-zero temperatures.
In Kashmir, Pahalgam recorded a minimum temperature of -11.8°C, followed by Larnoo at -7.9°C and Gulmarg at -7.0°C. Srinagar, the summer capital, registered a relatively milder low of -2.0°C, while other notable figures included Qazigund and Kokernag at -2.4°C each, Bandipora and Ganderbal at -3.4°C, and Shopian at -4.1°C.
In Jammu, Padder reported the coldest temperature at -8.8°C. Bhaderwah recorded -4.0°C, Banihal -1.2°C, and Batote -0.3°C. Warmer locations included Jammu city at 5.2°C, Katra at 5.3°C, and Ramban at 4.0°C. Other regions such as Udhampur and Samba experienced lows of 1.3°C each, while Rajouri and Kishtwar stood at -0.2°C.
Drass in Ladakh emerged as the coldest location, plummeting to a bone-chilling -22.9°C, while Sonamarg in Kashmir recorded the lowest in the region at -12.8°C. Leh and Kargil also experienced frigid conditions, reporting -13.0°C and -13.8°C, respectively.
The biting cold has left the region in the throes of harsh winter, with residents braving the sub-zero temperatures as part of the annual Chillai-Kalan season. Authorities have urged people to take precautions to stay safe during the severe weather conditions.
