Srinagar, Jan 08: A severe cold wave tightened its grip across Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh on Wednesday and Thursday night, with several places recording the lowest minimum temperatures of the season, plunging large parts of the region into freezing conditions.
As per the details available with the news agency Kashmir Indpeth News Service (KINS) ,temperatures dropped well below the freezing point overnight in the Kashmir Valley. Srinagar recorded a low of –5.1°C, while the city’s airport was even colder at –6.8°C. Tourist destinations witnessed sharper dips, with Gulmarg at –9.2°C and Sonamarg at –9.8°C. South Kashmir shivered under intense cold as Pahalgam registered –8.6°C, Shopian –7.8°C, Pulwama –6.8°C, and Anantnag –6.3°C. Other areas including Qazigund (–5.4°C), Budgam (–5.4°C), Baramulla (–5.3°C) and Kupwara (–5.1°C) also reported biting cold conditions.
The Jammu region experienced relatively milder but chilly weather, especially in higher reaches. Bhaderwah recorded –3.4°C, while Rajouri settled at –1.0°C. Hill stations like Batote (2.8°C), Banihal (3.7°C) and Udhampur (2.0°C) continued to feel the winter chill. Jammu city recorded a minimum of 7.1°C, while Jammu Airport logged 7.7°C.
Ladakh remained the coldest region, with extreme sub-zero temperatures across all stations. Drass, often called the second coldest inhabited place in the world, plunged to –24.7°C. Nyoma recorded –20.1°C, Padum –17.2°C, Hanle –16.9°C, and Leh –14.6°C. Several other areas, including Tangste (–17.8°C), Upshi (–15.7°C) and Kargil (–13.4°C), continued to reel under intense cold.
Meteorological officials said the prevailing cold wave conditions are in line with the ongoing peak winter period and advised people to take necessary precautions, particularly during night and early morning hours.
