Srinagar, Dec 10 : The Kashmir Valley reeled under intense cold on Tuesday night as minimum temperatures dipped below the freezing point across most stations, with Gulmarg emerging as the coldest inhabited spot at –5.5°C.
The harshest temperature, however, was recorded at Zojila Pass, where the mercury crashed to –18.0°C.
As per data compiled by Kashmir Weather as per news agency Kashmir News Corner (KNC), Srinagar recorded a low of –1.9°C, while its outskirts, including Srinagar Airport, remained even colder at –3.6°C.
Qazigund settled at –1.6°C, Kokernag –1.8°C, Pampore –2.5°C, and Budgam –3.0°C. In south Kashmir, Anantnag and Bandipora both logged –2.6°C, while Pulwama and Shopian shivered at –3.7°C and –4.3°C respectively.
Pahalgam, one of the coldest tourist destinations, dipped to –3.6°C, whereas Sonamarg recorded –1.6°C. North Kashmir saw a severe drop as Kupwara touched –4.2°C, Baramulla –4.5°C, and Zethan Rafiabad –4.8°C.
Only a few pockets such as Kulgam (–0.6°C) and Ganderbal (–0.9°C) stayed relatively less harsh, though still below freezing.
In the Jammu division, temperatures remained significantly higher compared to Kashmir. Jammu city recorded 8.4°C, Katra 9.5°C, while Batote and Doda settled at 6.5°C each. Samba dipped to 3.3°C, Rajouri to 2.0°C, and Bhaderwah to a chilly 0.8°C. Udhampur and Banihal noted lows of 4.8°C and 5.4°C respectively.
The cold desert of Ladakh reported severe temperature drops with Leh at –5.5°C, Kargil at –5.1°C, and Nubra Valley recording –2.5°C.
Meteorologists said the cold wave across J&K and Ladakh is likely to intensify further in the coming days as no major weather system is expected to bring immediate relief.
