Srinagar, Jan 17: The Jammu and Kashmir region, along with Ladakh, continues to reel under an intense cold wave as temperatures plummeted below freezing across most areas on Friday. Drass in Ladakh recorded the coldest temperature of the day at a bone-chilling -22.9°C, further cementing its reputation as one of the coldest inhabited places on Earth.
In Kashmir, Sonamarg experienced the lowest temperature at -12.8°C, followed by Pahalgam at -11.8°C, while the popular ski resort of Gulmarg shivered at -7.0°C. Srinagar, the summer capital, recorded a minimum temperature of -2.0°C, with nearby areas such as Qazigund and Kupwara registering -2.4°C and -2.7°C, respectively.
The cold wave extended to other parts of the Valley, including Bandipora and Ganderbal, which recorded identical lows of -3.4°C, while Shopian was the coldest in South Kashmir at -4.1°C. Larnoo recorded a frigid -7.9°C, and Baramulla registered a relatively milder -0.2°C.
In the Jammu region, temperatures dipped below zero in several areas, with Bhaderwah recording -4.0°C and Padder at -8.8°C. Meanwhile, Jammu city experienced a comparatively mild night with a minimum of 5.2°C, closely followed by Katra at 5.3°C. Other districts, including Poonch, Samba, and Kathua, recorded minimum temperatures between 1.3°C and 4.0°C.
In Ladakh, Leh recorded a minimum temperature of -13.0°C, while Kargil registered a bone-numbing -13.8°C.
The biting cold has led to frozen water bodies and disrupted water supply in many areas. Residents are urged to take precautions as frost and icy road conditions pose safety risks. The weather department has predicted dry and cloudy conditions for the coming days, but the cold wave is expected to persist, with no significant improvement in temperatures.
With tourism on the rise during the winter months, particularly in places like Gulmarg and Pahalgam, visitors are flocking to witness the snow-clad landscapes despite the freezing temperatures. Meanwhile, authorities remain vigilant to ensure uninterrupted essential services and adequate heating facilities for the public.(QNS)
