Cold conditions, fog prevail in Kashmir; Zojila records minus 17°C

Srinagar, Dec 13: Cold weather conditions prevailed across Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh on Saturday, with the Zojila Pass recording the lowest temperature at minus 17 degrees Celsius.

Early morning heavy fog also enveloped many parts of the Valley, adding to the woes of transporters. Officials urged drivers to move slowly and drive vehicles with caution to avoid accidents.

In the Kashmir region, Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of minus 2.9 degrees Celsius, while the Srinagar airport settled at minus 4.0 degrees.

Qazigund recorded minus 1.6 degrees, Pahalgam minus 2.8 degrees, Kupwara minus 2.4 degrees and Kokernag 0.1 degrees Celsius. Gulmarg, the famous ski resort, recorded a low of 1.6 degrees Celsius.

Other places in the Valley saw sub-zero temperatures, with Pampore at minus 2.5 degrees, Awantipora minus 3.6 degrees, Budgam minus 3.1 degrees, Anantnag minus 2.5 degrees, Baramulla minus 3.2 degrees, Bandipora minus 2.1 degrees, Pulwama minus 4.2 degrees and Shopian minus 3.7 degrees Celsius.

Kulgam recorded 0.1 degrees, Ganderbal minus 1.8 degrees, Sonamarg minus 0.3 degrees and Zethan Rafiabad minus 3.1 degrees Celsius.

In the Jammu region, minimum temperatures remained relatively higher. Jammu city recorded a low of 10.3 degrees Celsius, while Jammu airport recorded 10.9 degrees.

Katra recorded 10.2 degrees, Kathua and Batote 8.0 degrees each, and Reasi also 8.0 degrees Celsius. Bhaderwah recorded 3.6 degrees, Banihal 3.8 degrees, Udhampur 3.4 degrees, Rajouri 3.8 degrees, Ramban and Samba 5.9 degrees each, Kishtwar 7.8 degrees and Doda 7.3 degrees Celsius.

In Ladakh, Leh recorded a minimum temperature of minus 5.6 degrees Celsius, Kargil minus 5.2 degrees and Nubra Valley minus 5.7 degrees.

Meteorological officials said cold conditions are expected to continue in the higher reaches, while plains are likely to experience chilly nights over the next few days.(KNS).