Cold Wave Tightens Grip On J&K, Ladakh; Shopian Coldest At -8.2°C, Pulwama At -8°C

Pic: Shakeel/Excelsior

Srinagar, Jan 10: Harsh winter conditions continued unabated across Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, with widespread sub-zero temperatures recorded during the intervening night of Friday and Saturday.
Most parts of the Kashmir Valley remained under intense cold. Shopian emerged as the coldest place in the Valley at minus 8.2 degrees Celsius, closely followed by Pulwama at minus 8.0 degrees Celsius. Pahalgam recorded a low of minus 7.8 degrees Celsius, while Sopore registered minus 7.6 degrees Celsius. Srinagar Airport dipped to minus 7.2 degrees Celsius.
The minimum temperature in Srinagar city settled at minus 5.7 degrees Celsius. Qazigund recorded minus 6.3 degrees Celsius, Kupwara minus 6.1 degrees Celsius, and Gulmarg, a popular tourist destination, recorded minus 6.8 degrees Celsius. Temperature data for Kulgam was not available.
Cold conditions also prevailed in the Jammu region, particularly in higher-altitude areas. Bhaderwah recorded a low of minus 2.8 degrees Celsius, while Samba and Rajouri both registered minus 1.6 degrees Celsius. Banihal settled at minus 0.4 degrees Celsius and Udhampur at 0.2 degrees Celsius. Jammu city recorded a minimum of 3.6 degrees Celsius, while Katra was relatively warmer at 5.2 degrees Celsius. Data for Doda and Poonch was not available.
Ladakh continued to experience extreme cold, with Drass once again recording the lowest temperature in the region at minus 24.6 degrees Celsius. Padum registered minus 19.6 degrees Celsius, Nyoma minus 20.3 degrees Celsius, and Hanle minus 17.0 degrees Celsius. Leh recorded minus 14.4 degrees Celsius, while Kargil settled at minus 13.7 degrees Celsius. Nubra Valley recorded minus 13.5 degrees Celsius, and Tangste minus 17.7 degrees Celsius.
Weather experts have indicated that severe winter conditions are likely to persist, advising residents to take adequate precautions to safeguard themselves against the extreme cold. (KNC)