SRINAGAR: Cold wave conditions continued to grip Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh on Saturday, with the Zojila Pass emerging as the coldest location after recording a bone-chilling minimum temperature of minus 17 degrees Celsius.
Several parts of the Kashmir Valley were also shrouded in dense morning fog, causing inconvenience to commuters and transporters. Authorities advised motorists to drive cautiously and reduce speed to prevent accidents.
In the Kashmir region, Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of minus 2.9 degrees Celsius, while the Srinagar airport settled at minus 4.0 degrees. Qazigund registered minus 1.6 degrees, Pahalgam minus 2.8 degrees, Kupwara minus 2.4 degrees and Kokernag 0.1 degrees Celsius. The ski resort of Gulmarg recorded a low of 1.6 degrees Celsius.
Other areas across the Valley witnessed sub-zero temperatures, including Pampore at minus 2.5 degrees, Awantipora minus 3.6 degrees, Budgam minus 3.1 degrees, Anantnag minus 2.5 degrees, Baramulla minus 3.2 degrees, Bandipora minus 2.1 degrees, Pulwama minus 4.2 degrees and Shopian minus 3.7 degrees Celsius. Kulgam recorded 0.1 degrees, Ganderbal minus 1.8 degrees, Sonamarg minus 0.3 degrees and Zethan Rafiabad minus 3.1 degrees Celsius.
In contrast, minimum temperatures in the Jammu region remained comparatively higher. Jammu city recorded a low of 10.3 degrees Celsius, while Jammu airport recorded 10.9 degrees. Katra registered 10.2 degrees, Kathua and Batote 8.0 degrees each, Reasi 8.0 degrees, Bhaderwah 3.6 degrees, Banihal 3.8 degrees, Udhampur 3.4 degrees, Rajouri 3.8 degrees, Ramban and Samba 5.9 degrees each, Kishtwar 7.8 degrees and Doda 7.3 degrees Celsius.
In Ladakh, freezing conditions prevailed with Leh recording minus 5.6 degrees Celsius, Kargil minus 5.2 degrees and Nubra Valley minus 5.7 degrees.
The Meteorological Department said cold conditions are likely to persist in the higher reaches, while the plains may continue to experience chilly nights over the next few days.
