Srinagar: Intense cold wave conditions continue to grip Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, with temperatures plummeting across the region.
A Meteorological Department official told JKNS that Zojila recorded the lowest temperature at -30°C, while Srinagar registered a minimum of -5.1°C. Drass in Ladakh recorded -22.4°C.
Srinagar experienced -5.1°C, with Qazigund and Pahalgam at -6.4°C and -8.4°C, respectively. Kupwara recorded -5.5°C, Kokernag -3.4°C, Gulmarg -6.5°C, and Sonamarg -9.8°C. Other notable temperatures included Bandipora (-4.2°C), Baramulla (-2.9°C), Budgam (-4.6°C), Pulwama (-5.3°C), and Anantnag (-6.2°C). Kulgam, Shopian, and Larnoo recorded -5.8°C, -8.3°C, and -8.8°C, he said.
In Jammu region, the cold was relatively mild. Jammu city recorded 7.2°C, while Banihal was at -0.6°C. Batote and Katra registered 2.6°C and 6.0°C, respectively. Bhaderwah recorded -0.4°C, Ramban 5.4°C, Poonch 2.5°C, and Rajouri 1.3°C. Samba stood at 4.0°C, Kathua at 7.1°C, Reasi at 5.9°C, and Udhampur at 5.8°C.
Official further said, In Ladakh, Drass remained the coldest at -22.4°C, while Leh and Kargil recorded -9.0°C and -12.7°C.
The Meteorological Department official said that the weather is expected to remain mostly dry and cloudy until January 19. However, light snowfall is likely on isolated higher reaches during the early hours of January 16. (JKNS)