Srinagar, Jan 14, KNT: A severe cold wave continued to grip Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday as most parts of the Kashmir Valley recorded subzero minimum temperatures, while Ladakh remained the coldest region with temperatures plunging below minus 11 degrees Celsius.
According to data, Shopian emerged as the coldest place in the Kashmir region with a minimum temperature of minus 7.5 degrees Celsius, followed by Pulwama at minus 7.0 degrees and Sopore at minus 6.9 degrees. Anantnag recorded a low of minus 6.6 degrees, while Awantipora settled at minus 6.4 degrees Celsius.
The summer capital Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of minus 5.2 degrees Celsius, while the Srinagar airport registered minus 6.0 degrees. Pahalgam also saw the mercury dip to minus 6.0 degrees, while Gulmarg recorded a minimum of minus 3.8 degrees Celsius.
Baramulla remained comparatively warmer at minus 1.8 degrees.
In Ladakh, the cold wave remained intense with Leh and Hanle jointly recording the lowest minimum temperature of minus 11.4 degrees Celsius. Nubra Valley recorded minus 10.4 degrees, while Kargil settled at minus 10.0 degrees, making Ladakh the coldest region overall.
The Jammu region witnessed relatively milder conditions, though some areas experienced near-freezing temperatures. Rajouri recorded the lowest minimum in the region at minus 0.6 degrees Celsius, followed by Bhaderwah at 0.5 degrees and Udhampur at 1.0 degree. Jammu city recorded a minimum temperature of 4.0 degrees Celsius, while Katra and Banihal recorded 5.5 degrees and 5.3 degrees respectively.
Meteorological officials said cold and dry weather conditions are likely to continue, particularly in higher reaches, with icy nights expected across the Kashmir Valley and Ladakh in the coming days. [KNT]
