A cold wave continued across Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, with most places in the Kashmir Valley recording sub-zero minimum temperatures, while Ladakh remained in the grip of severe cold.
In the Kashmir region, Sonamarg was the coldest at minus 7.3 degrees Celsius, followed by Gulmarg at minus 5.4 degrees and Pahalgam at minus 4.4 degrees. Srinagar recorded a low of minus 2.2 degrees, while the minimum at Srinagar Airport settled at minus 3.4 degrees Celsius.
Other places in the Valley also witnessed freezing nights, with Pulwama at minus 3.8 degrees, Shopian at minus 4.0 degrees, Pampore at minus 2.5 degrees, Budgam at minus 2.3 degrees and Kupwara at minus 2.0 degrees Celsius. Baramulla, Kulgam and Kokernag recorded relatively higher lows but still remained below normal.
In the Jammu region, minimum temperatures stayed above freezing at most places. Jammu city recorded a low of 8.1 degrees Celsius, Katra 8.4 degrees and Kathua 8.0 degrees. Bhaderwah was the coldest in the region at 0.3 degrees Celsius, while Banihal, Batote, Ramban and Udhampur recorded minimums between 4 and 5 degrees.
Ladakh continued to reel under intense cold, with Leh recording a minimum temperature of minus 10.2 degrees Celsius, Kargil minus 9.8 degrees and Nubra Valley minus 8.3 degrees.
The weather department said cold and dry conditions are likely to persist in the coming days, especially in higher reaches, with a further drop in night temperatures at isolated places.
