SRINAGAR: As winter tightens its grip, Kashmir, Jammu, and Ladakh are experiencing a sharp fall in temperatures, plunging below normal and intensifying the frost.
The majestic Zojila Pass emerged as the coldest spot of the night, recording a staggering -18.0°C. Night temperatures in areas like Shopian (-5.5°C), Pahalgam (-5.3°C), and Sonamarg (-4.9°C) offered no respite, with streams freezing as the mercury continued to drop.
The picturesque meadows of Pulwama (-5.0°C) and Anantnag (-5.0°C) glistened under a thin frost, while urban centres like Srinagar (-2.1°C) and Baramulla (-2.0°C) faced biting cold winds. The ski paradise of Gulmarg (-3.6°C) continued to attract adventurers, braving the sub-zero temperatures for its snow-covered slopes.
In the Jammu region, winter’s chill was less severe but noticeable in higher-altitude areas. Padder (-4.3°C) recorded the coldest temperature in the region, while the hill stations of Bhaderwah (1.0°C) and Banihal (1.2°C) shivered through frosty mornings. In contrast, the plains of Jammu (8.6°C) and Kathua (8.7°C) provided some reprieve, though the cool breeze had residents bundling up in woollens.
Meanwhile, Ladakh, known for its harsh winters, maintained its reputation. Kargil (-9.8°C) and Leh (-9.6°C) saw temperatures nosedive, leaving the barren landscapes wrapped in icy stillness. Data for the Drass Valley, often regarded as the coldest inhabited place in India, remains unavailable today.
As winter tightens its icy grip across the region, locals brace themselves for even harsher days ahead. (NVI)
