Sonamarg, Gulmarg among coldest places as freezing conditions prevail in Kashmir

Srinagar, Jan 30: Cold weather conditions continued across Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh on Friday, with several places in the Kashmir Valley and the higher reaches recording sub-zero minimum temperatures, officials said.

In the Kashmir region, Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of 1.3 degrees Celsius, while the city’s airport registered minus 1.2 degrees Celsius. Tourist resort Gulmarg was among the coldest places in the Valley at minus 9.0 degrees Celsius, while Sonamarg recorded a low of minus 10.6 degrees Celsius.

Pahalgam registered a minimum temperature of minus 5.3 degrees Celsius, followed by Kupwara at minus 3.1 degrees Celsius and Shopian at minus 2.6 degrees Celsius. Baramulla recorded minus 1.4 degrees Celsius, while Bandipora and Ganderbal registered minus 0.5 and minus 0.4 degrees Celsius, respectively. Qazigund recorded a low of minus 0.3 degrees Celsius.

In south Kashmir, Anantnag and Kulgam recorded minimum temperatures of 0.3 degrees Celsius and 1.1 degrees Celsius, respectively, while Pulwama recorded 0.1 degrees Celsius. Beerwah in Budgam district recorded minus 2.9 degrees Celsius.

In the Jammu region, minimum temperatures remained comparatively higher. Jammu city recorded a low of 9.3 degrees Celsius, while Katra registered 8.4 degrees Celsius.

Banihal recorded 1.1 degrees Celsius, Batote 3.2 degrees Celsius and Bhaderwah minus 1.0 degrees Celsius. Udhampur recorded a minimum temperature of 3.6 degrees Celsius.

In Ladakh, Leh recorded a minimum temperature of minus 10.4 degrees Celsius, while Hanle was the coldest at minus 16.0 degrees Celsius. Kargil recorded minus 9.2 degrees Celsius and Nubra Valley minus 9.3 degrees Celsius.

Officials said cold conditions are likely to continue in the region over the next few days.(KNS).