Cold wave intensifies across Kashmir
Srinagar, Dec 12: Winter tightened its grip over Kashmir as the mercury crashed throughout the region.
Temperatures plunged across Kashmir and Ladakh, deepening a cold wave that left several regions far below freezing.
A biting cold wave is being witnessed in Jammu and Kashmir, while night temperatures tumbled across the Valley, with several areas sliding deep below freezing.
According to data compiled by Kashmir Weather, Pulwama was the coldest inhabited place, recording minus 5.5 degrees Celsius, followed by Shopian at minus 5 degrees Celsius.
Srinagar logged a low of minus 3.6 degrees Celsius, while its outskirts were even colder, with the Srinagar Airport area dipping to minus 4 degrees Celsius.
Qazigund recorded a temperature of minus 2.8 degrees Celsius, and Kokernag recorded a temperature of minus 0.7 degrees Celsius.
Tourist destinations also shivered, with Pahalgam and Anantnag both at minus 4.6 degrees Celsius.
Gulmarg stood at 0 degrees Celsius.
Kupwara touched minus 3.6 degrees Celsius, Baramulla plunged to minus 4.7 degrees Celsius, and Zethan Rafiabad registered minus 4.8 degrees Celsius.
The Zojila Pass was among the coldest regions, freezing at minus 18 degrees Celsius.
Across south Kashmir, frost intensified and mercury in Budgam fell to minus 4.3 degrees Celsius, Pampore to minus 3.5 degrees Celsius, Awantipora to minus 4.2 degrees Celsius, and Bandipora to minus 3.6 degrees Celsius.
Sonamarg recorded minus 1.3 degrees Celsius, while Kulgam remained relatively milder at minus 0.6 degrees Celsius.
In the Jammu region, Jammu city posted 8.5 degrees Celsius and Katra 9.4 degrees Celsius.
The cold was sharper in the upper reaches, with Udhampur recording 2.8 degrees Celsius, Bhaderwah 1.9 degrees Celsius, and Rajouri 1.6 degrees Celsius.
Ramban settled at 4.2 degrees Celsius, Samba at 3.2 degrees Celsius, and Kathua at 7.6 degrees Celsius.
Ladakh also remained in a deep freeze, with Leh at minus 7.8 degrees Celsius, Kargil at minus 7 degrees Celsius, and the Nubra Valley at minus 6.3 degrees Celsius.
Meteorologists said the cold wave is expected to persist, with no major weather system likely in the coming days.
“Dry weather will dominate for now, though higher reaches may receive light snowfall,” an independent forecaster said.
