SRINAGAR: Cold wave conditions intensified across Jammu & Kashmir as minimum temperatures fell sharply, plunging several parts of the Valley into severe sub-zero levels. Pulwama remained the coldest inhabited place at -5.5°C, followed by Shopian at -5.0°C.
Srinagar recorded a low of -3.6°C, while its outskirts were even colder, with the Srinagar Airport area dropping to -4.0°C. Qazigund settled at -2.8°C and Kokernag at -0.7°C.
Among tourist destinations, Pahalgam and Anantnag registered -4.6°C, while Gulmarg stood at 0.0°C. Kupwara touched -3.6°C, Baramulla -4.7°C, and Zethan Rafiabad recorded one of the lowest readings at -4.8°C. The Zojila Pass remained in a deep freeze at -18°C.
Intense frost gripped South Kashmir as well—Budgam recorded -4.3°C, Pampore -3.5°C, Awantipora -4.2°C, and Bandipora -3.6°C. Sonamarg stood at -1.3°C, while Kulgam was comparatively milder at -0.6°C.
In the Jammu region, Jammu city recorded 8.5°C, and Katra saw 9.4°C. The cold strengthened in the upper reaches with Udhampur at 2.8°C, Bhaderwah 1.9°C, and Rajouri 1.6°C. Ramban settled at 4.2°C, Samba at 3.2°C, and Kathua at 7.6°C.
In Ladakh, freezing conditions persisted as Leh dipped to -7.8°C, Kargil to -7.0°C, and Nubra Valley to -6.3°C.
Meteorologists said the cold wave is likely to continue with no significant weather system expected in the coming days. “Dry weather will dominate for now, though higher reaches may receive light snowfall,” an independent weather forecaster said.
