Srinagar, Nov 28,: Kashmir reeled under its sharpest cold spell of November in nearly two decades on Friday as minimum temperatures plunged across the Valley, marking the coldest end of the month since 2007 and signalling an early onset of severe winter conditions.
In Srinagar, the mercury dropped to minus 4.5°C, while the city’s airport registered an even lower minus 6.4°C, underlining the intensity of the cold wave. Pampore recorded minus 6.0°C and Anantnag and Pulwama both touched minus 6.2°C. The lowest in the Valley was reported from Shopian at minus 6.7°C, followed closely by Baramulla at minus 5.9°C and Pahalgam at minus 5.5°C. Kupwara, Awantipora and Budgam each logged minus 4.8°C, Bandipora minus 4.9°C, and Ganderbal minus 3.5°C. Kokernag remained comparatively less cold at minus 1.8°C, while Gulmarg dipped to minus 1.4°C.
In the higher reaches, conditions were harsher. Zojila Pass recorded a biting minus 16.0°C, disrupting movement and deepening winter hardship for locals in surrounding areas. Sonamarg touched minus 3.8°C and Zethan Rafiabad saw minus 5.3°C.
The cold wave also extended to parts of the Jammu region, where Banihal recorded minus 1.5°C and Bhaderwah minus 0.5°C. Jammu city itself stayed warmer at 9.4°C, while Katra and Kathua both hovered around 8.2°C. Ladakh witnessed even more severe conditions with Leh at minus 8.6°C, Kargil minus 9.6°C and Nubra Valley minus 8.3°C.
Meteorological officials said the persistent dry spell and clear skies contributed to intense radiational cooling, pushing night temperatures downward. Locals across the Valley have begun using heating devices earlier than usual, and water pipes freezing overnight have been reported in several areas.
The weather office expects continued cold nights over the coming days, advising people to take precautions as winter tightens its grip on the region. [KNT]
