SRINAGAR: Cold wave conditions persisted across Jammu and Kashmir, with large parts of the Kashmir Valley recording sub-zero minimum temperatures, while Ladakh continued to reel under severe cold.
In the Valley, Shopian was the coldest location at –7.5°C, followed by Pulwama at –7.0°C and Sopore at –6.9°C. Anantnag recorded –6.6°C, Awantipora –6.4°C, Kupwara –6.2°C and Beerwah in Budgam –6.1°C. Pahalgam and Srinagar Airport both settled at –6.0°C, while Srinagar city registered a low of –5.2°C and Qazigund –5.3°C.
Other areas across Kashmir also experienced freezing temperatures, with Budgam at –5.4°C, Pampore –5.0°C, Bandipora –4.5°C, Gulmarg –3.8°C, Ganderbal –3.7°C, Sonamarg –2.2°C, Kokernag –2.3°C and Baramulla –1.8°C. Temperature data for Kulgam was not available.
The Jammu region witnessed comparatively milder conditions, though several places remained cold. Jammu city recorded 4.0°C, while the airport registered 4.8°C. Bhaderwah logged 0.5°C, Udhampur 1.0°C, Samba 1.5°C, Ramban 2.8°C and Reasi 2.6°C. Rajouri dipped below freezing at –0.6°C, while Banihal, Katra, Batote, Kathua, Kishtwar and Doda recorded temperatures between 4°C and 5.5°C. Data for Poonch was unavailable.
In Ladakh, extreme cold conditions prevailed, with Leh and Hanle both recording a minimum of –11.4°C. Nubra Valley registered –10.4°C, while Kargil settled at –10.0°C, making the region among the coldest in the country.
Officials said the cold spell is likely to continue over the next few days and advised residents to take precautions against extreme cold. Jammu and Kashmir has largely witnessed dry weather during Chillai Kalan— the 40-day harshest phase of winter that began on December 21 — barring light rain and snowfall in a few areas during a weak western disturbance towards the end of the year.
