JAMMU: Several parts of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh recorded exceptionally low minimum temperatures on Sunday, with Ladakh experiencing the most severe cold and many areas of north and south Kashmir also reporting intense sub-zero conditions.
In Ladakh, Drass was the coldest location in the entire region, registering a minimum temperature of minus 24.5 degrees Celsius. Other parts of the cold desert also remained gripped by freezing conditions, with Padum at minus 18.3°C, Hanle at minus 16.3°C, Nyoma at minus 17.7°C, Tangste at minus 17.4°C and Upshi at minus 15.3°C. Leh and the Nubra Valley both recorded lows of minus 13.4°C, while Chuchot dipped to minus 13.5°C.
In the Kashmir Valley, Shopian recorded the lowest temperature at minus 8.6°C, making it the coldest location in the Valley. Pulwama and Sopore followed at minus 7.7°C each. Pahalgam recorded minus 7.6°C, while Anantnag settled at minus 7.1°C. Awantipora and Zethan Rafiabad both registered minus 6.8°C.
Other areas of the Valley also faced severe cold, with Gulmarg at minus 6.2°C, Srinagar Airport at minus 6.0°C, Budgam and Baramulla at minus 6.1°C, Qazigund at minus 5.8°C and Kupwara at minus 5.6°C. Srinagar city recorded a minimum of minus 5.2°C.
In the Jammu region, temperatures were relatively higher, although some places still approached or fell below freezing. Bhaderwah recorded minus 2.0°C, Rajouri minus 1.6°C and Samba minus 0.7°C, while Udhampur registered 0.8°C. Jammu city recorded a minimum of 4.0°C.
According to weather officials, the combination of clear skies and dry weather has led to sharp night-time cooling, particularly across Ladakh and interior areas of the Kashmir Valley.
