Kashmir continues to remain in grip of severe cold

Srinagar, Dec 18: Kashmir experienced a marginal improvement in the intense cold conditions as minimum temperatures rose slightly but continued to remain below the freezing point, officials said Wednesday.

Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of minus 4.5 degrees Celsius, an increase from the previous night’s minus 5.3 degrees Celsius.

Despite the slight relief, the persistent cold wave caused the freezing of water bodies, including portions of Dal Lake, and left water supply lines frozen in many parts of the city and other areas across Kashmir.

Gulmarg ski resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district recorded a low of minus 5 degrees Celsius, a degree colder than the previous night, while Pahalgam health resort in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district recorded minus 5.8 degrees Celsius, slightly up from minus 5 degrees Celsius recorded a night earlier.

Konibal in south Kashmir’s Pampore district emerged as the coldest place in Kashmir with the mercury plunging to minus 6.5 degrees Celsius.

Other parts of Kashmir, including Qazigund, Kupwara, and Kokernag recorded minimum temperatures of minus 5 degrees Celsius, minus 4.4 degrees Celsius, and minus 2.8 degrees Celsius.

Sonamarg in Ganderbal district experienced bone-chilling minus 7.7 degrees Celsius, Budgam minus 5 degrees Celsius, and Ganderbal minus 4.2 degrees Celsius.

Pulwama and Shopian districts in south Kashmir recorded severe cold at minus 7.3 and minus 7.8 degrees Celsius with other areas like Anantnag, Khudwani, and Kulgam ranging between minus 5 and minus 7 degrees Celsius.

The Meteorological Department has predicted mainly dry weather across J&K until December 26, with a possibility of light snowfall in the higher reaches on the night of December 21.

However, officials said that the minimum temperatures are expected to drop further in the coming days, bringing an intensified cold wave to Kashmir.

Jammu recorded a minimum temperature of 8.1 degrees Celsius.

Banihal at minus 1.9 degrees Celsius, Katra at 7.6 degrees Celsius, and Udhampur at 0.7 degrees Celsius also experienced cold conditions while districts like Bhaderwah, Kishtwar, and Ramban recorded temperatures ranging from minus 0.4 degrees Celsius to 4 degrees Celsius.

In Ladakh, the cold conditions remain severe, with Leh recording a low of minus 10 degrees Celsius and Kargil even colder at minus 10.9 degrees Celsius.