Kashmir Shivers As Mercury Plunges Across Region, Shopian Coldest At -6.6°C

Srinagar : Cold wave conditions tightened their grip over Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh as most places recorded a sharp dip in minimum temperatures last night, with several stations settling well below the freezing point.
In the Kashmir Valley, Srinagar recorded a low of –4.4°C, marking another icy morning for residents. Many other areas also witnessed severe cold, with Pahalgam touching –5.6°C, Kupwara –5.0°C, and Pampore and Anantnag both dropping to –6.0°C. The coldest in the Valley, however, was Shopian at –6.6°C, while Baramulla dipped to –6.4°C. Gulmarg, the well-known skiing destination, recorded –1.4°C.
Qazigund and Awantipora both settled at –3.0°C and –4.4°C respectively. Meanwhile, Zojila Pass froze at an extreme –15.0°C, and Zethan Rafiabad recorded –5.5°C.
In the Jammu region, the winter chill intensified as Jammu city saw a minimum of 8.8°C. High-altitude areas remained much colder, with Banihal at –0.7°C, Bhaderwah at 0.3°C, and Samba reaching as low as 1.9°C. Rajouri and Udhampur also continued to shiver, recording 1.5°C and 3.0°C respectively.
Other stations in the region, including Batote (4.5°C), Ramban (4.2°C), Kishtwar (4.0°C), Reasi (6.4°C), Doda (4.5°C) and Kathua (7.4°C), experienced moderate cold conditions. Jammu Airport recorded 8.3°C.
In the Union Territory of Ladakh, temperatures plummeted to severe levels as Nyoma recorded the lowest minimum at –16.3°C. Drass (–12.4°C), Padum (–12.6°C), Tangste (–12.7°C), Upshi (–12.8°C), and Chuchot (–10.9°C) also witnessed intense freezing conditions. Leh settled at –9.2°C, while Kargil recorded –8.5°C.
Other stations such as Nubra Valley (–8.6°C), Stakna (–9.8°C), Khaltse (–8.1°C) and Garkone (–2.7°C) also remained under severe cold. (KNC)