Srinagar, Dec 11: The Kashmir Valley reeled under intense cold as temperatures dipped further across the region, with several areas recording severe sub-zero levels.
The coldest temperature was reported from Zojila Pass, where the mercury plunged to a brutal -18.0°C, making it the harshest point across J&K and Ladakh.
Srinagar recorded a minimum of -2.9°C, while its outskirts remained even colder, with Srinagar Airport touching -4.0°C.
Qazigund settled at -3.2°C, Kokernag at -1.2°C, Pampore at -3.0°C, and Budgam also dipped to -4.0°C.
In south Kashmir, Anantnag recorded -4.3°C and Bandipora -3.5°C, while Pulwama and Shopian remained the coldest inhabited areas at -5.2°C.
Pahalgam recorded -4.6°C, Sonamarg -2.5°C, and Gulmarg stood at 0.0°C. In north Kashmir, Kupwara touched -4.2°C, Baramulla -2.3°C, while Zethan Rafiabad dipped to -5.5°C.
Relatively less severe temperatures were observed in Kulgam at -0.4°C and Ganderbal at -2.4°C.
In the Jammu division, Jammu city recorded 8.6°C, while Katra was slightly warmer at 9.5°C. Udhampur posted 2.6°C, Bhaderwah 1.4°C, and Rajouri 1.0°C, making them among the colder locations in the region. Banihal recorded 2.4°C and Ramban 4.4°C.
In Ladakh, Leh recorded -7.0°C, Kargil -6.5°C, while Drass one of the coldest inhabited places in the world shivered at -9.9°C. Nyoma dropped to -12.8°C, Tangste to -10.7°C, and Padum settled at -9.6°C.
Meteorologists say cold conditions are likely to intensify further across J&K and Ladakh, with no major weather system predicted to bring relief anytime soon.
Independent weatherman Faizan Arif Keng said, “Dry weather is expected to dominate for another week. Higher reaches may receive light snowfall during this period.”
