Kashmir reels under severe cold as temperatures dip to season’s lowest

Srinagar: Large parts of Kashmir recorded a sharp drop in minimum temperatures on Monday, with several stations slipping well below the freezing point as the region continues to face an intense cold wave.

Srinagar shivered at minus 2.5°C, while nearby Pampore and Baramulla were among the coldest spots, touching minus 4.2°C and minus 4.3°C, respectively. Shopian remained the coldest in the Valley at minus 5.0°C, according to data compiled by Kashmir Weather.

Popular tourist destinations also saw a dip, with Pahalgam at minus 2.2°C and Gulmarg at 0.0°C. North Kashmir’s Kupwara recorded minus 3.1°C, and the Srinagar Airport and Awantipora both reported minus 3.0°C.

In south Kashmir, Anantnag recorded minus 3.7°C, Pulwama minus 3.8°C, and Ganderbal minus 1.8°C, while Kokernag and Sonamarg were relatively milder at minus 0.6°C and minus 0.7°C, respectively. Kulgam and Zojila Pass reported no available data.

In the Jammu region, temperatures remained comparatively higher but still dipped in several districts. Jammu city recorded 8.6°C, while Banihal was among the coldest at minus 0.5°C. Katra and Kathua saw minimums of 8.5°C and 8.2°C, respectively. Udhampur settled at 3.6°C, Rajouri at 2.2°C, and Samba at 2.6°C.

In the Chenab Valley, Bhaderwah touched 0.9°C, while Batote, Ramban, Kishtwar, Reasi, and Doda recorded temperatures between 4°C and 6.5°C.

Ladakh continued to witness severe conditions, with Leh freezing at minus 6.6°C, Nubra Valley at minus 5.0°C, and Kargil at minus 4.8°C.

The persistent low temperatures across the region are expected to intensify in the coming days as the 40-day harsh winter period, Chillai Kalan, approaches. Meteorologists say further drops are likely unless a fresh western disturbance brings cloud cover or snowfall.