Srinagar, Nov 28: Large parts of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh witnessed a significant dip in night temperatures as the region remained in the grip of a severe cold wave on Friday.
In the Kashmir Valley, sub-zero temperatures were recorded almost across the board. Srinagar settled at –4.5°C, while Qazigund touched –4.4°C. Tourist destinations also froze under harsh cold, with Pahalgam dropping to –5.5°C and Gulmarg registering –1.4°C.
Parts of south Kashmir recorded some of the lowest temperatures of the season — Pulwama and Anantnag dipped to –6.2°C, Pampore settled at –6.0°C, and Shopian was the coldest at –6.7°C. Srinagar Airport remained extremely cold at –6.4°C.
Several north Kashmir areas also saw deep freeze conditions. Kupwara stood at –4.8°C, Bandipora –4.9°C, Baramulla –5.9°C, and Zethan Rafiabad –5.3°C. In central Kashmir, Budgam recorded –4.8°C, Ganderbal –3.5°C, and Sonamarg –3.8°C. The highest-altitude location on the list, Zojila Pass, remained in the extreme cold zone at –16.0°C.
The cold wave was less severe in the Jammu region, where temperatures stayed above freezing in most places. Jammu recorded 9.4°C, while neighbouring Katra and Kathua settled at 8.2°C.
Mountainous belts, however, felt a sharper chill — Bhaderwah dipped just below freezing at –0.5°C, while Udhampur, Banihal, and Batote stood at 3.6°C.
Other stations included Ramban at 3.2°C, Samba at 3.4°C, Rajouri at 1.4°C, Doda at 2.9°C, Kishtwar at 3.5°C, and Reasi at 6.4°C.
In Ladakh, night temperatures remained deeply sub-zero, continuing the region’s long winter spell. Kargil touched –9.6°C, Leh recorded –8.6°C, while Nubra Valley stood at –8.3°C.
According to weather observers, the intense chill across the Himalayan belt marks a definite strengthening of winter conditions in the region, with frost and icy mornings expected to continue. (KNS)
