Sajid Raina
Srinagar, Jan 8: A severe cold wave gripped Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, with several locations across both Union Territories recording the lowest temperatures of the season on Thursday.
According to the details available, Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of minus 5.1 degrees Celsius, down from minus 1.6 degrees a day earlier. The temperature at Srinagar Airport plunged to minus 6.8 degrees Celsius from minus 2.2 degrees, marking one of the steepest overnight declines.
South Kashmir districts witnessed a similar trend. Temperature in Qazigund fell to minus 5.4 degrees Celsius from 0.1 degrees, while Anantnag recorded minus 6.3 degrees compared to minus 0.7 degrees on Wednesday. Shopian settled at minus 7.8 degrees, down from minus 4.3 degrees, and Pulwama recorded minus 6.8 degrees against minus 5.1 degrees earlier.
Pahalgam, the famed tourist resort, recorded a low of minus 8.6 degrees Celsius, compared to minus 7.2 degrees the previous day. Gulmarg saw its minimum fall to minus 9.2 degrees from minus 7.6 degrees. Sonamarg recorded minus 9.8 degrees, marginally higher than Wednesday’s minus 10.1 degrees.
In north Kashmir, Kupwara recorded minus 5.1 degrees Celsius, down from minus 3.6 degrees, while Baramulla recorded minus 5.3 degrees compared to minus 3.0 degrees earlier.
The Jammu region also experienced a dip in night temperatures at several places. Jammu city recorded a minimum of 7.1 degrees Celsius, down from 8.7 degrees on Wednesday, while Jammu Airport settled at 7.7 degrees from 9.3 degrees.
Udhampur saw a significant fall to 2.0 degrees from 6.6 degrees. Rajouri slipped below freezing to minus 1.0 degree compared to 1.0 degree the previous day.
Bhaderwah recorded minus 3.4 degrees Celsius, slightly lower than Wednesday’s minus 2.6 degrees, while Katra dropped to 4.1 degrees from 6.4 degrees.
In Ladakh, extremely cold conditions persisted. Leh recorded minus 14.6 degrees Celsius, down from minus 13.4 degrees on Wednesday. Drass remained the coldest place, recording minus 24.7 degrees, while Hanle recorded minus 16.9 degrees and Nyoma minus 20.1 degrees.
Meteorological officials said the prevailing cold wave is likely to continue, while foggy conditions in the Jammu region disrupted traffic at several places today.
Meanwhile, the Kishtwar–Sinthan–Anantnag road and Mughal Road remain closed due to snow accumulation. On the Srinagar–Sonamarg–Gumri road, vehicles from Kargil towards Srinagar will be allowed between 1100 and 1500 hours after clearance, with motorists advised to carry anti-skid chains. Commuters were urged to follow lane discipline and confirm road status from traffic control units before travel.
