Kashmir freezes again as night temperatures plunge; Pulwama records coldest at –5.5°C

Srinagar, Dec 12: Cold wave conditions tightened their grip over Jammu & Kashmir as minimum temperatures dipped sharply across the Valley, with several areas recording severe sub-zero levels. Pulwama emerged as the coldest inhabited place at -5.5°C, followed closely by Shopian at -5.0°C.

As per data compiled by Kashmir Weather, Srinagar recorded a low of -3.6°C, while the outskirts remained colder, with Srinagar Airport touching -4.0°C. Qazigund settled at -2.8°C and Kokernag at -0.7°C.

In major tourist destinations, Pahalgam and Anantnag both recorded -4.6°C, while Gulmarg stood at 0.0°C. Kupwara dipped to -3.6°C, Baramulla to -4.7°C, and Zethan Rafiabad registered one of the lowest readings at -4.8°C with Zojila pass freezing at -18°C.

South Kashmir witnessed intense frost, with Budgam at -4.3°C, Pampore at -3.5°C, Awantipora at -4.2°C, and Bandipora at -3.6°C. Sonamarg recorded -1.3°C, whereas Kulgam remained comparatively less cold at -0.6°C. Temperature details from Zojila Pass remained unavailable.

In the Jammu region, Jammu city recorded 8.5°C, while Katra stood at 9.4°C. The cold intensified in the upper reaches—Udhampur recorded 2.8°C, Bhaderwah 1.9°C, and Rajouri 1.6°C. Ramban settled at 4.2°C, Samba at 3.2°C, and Kathua at 7.6°C.

In Ladakh, freezing conditions continued with Leh touching -7.8°C, Kargil -7.0°C, and Nubra Valley -6.3°C.

Meteorologists said the cold wave is likely to persist as no major weather system is expected in the coming days. “Dry weather will dominate for now, though higher reaches may receive light snowfall,” an independent weather forecaster said. (KNC)