Srinagar records coldest night of season, mercury drops to –3.9°C
KINS Desk
Srinagar, Nov 26 (KINS): Kashmir shivered under an intense cold wave as Srinagar city recorded its coldest night of the season with the minimum temperature plunging to –3.9°C, according to official figures.
Several other parts of the Valley also witnessed a sharp dip in night temperatures, with many stations recording sub-zero levels.
In south Kashmir, Pampore and Anantnag were among the coldest spots at –5.5°C, while Awantipora and Zethan Rafiabad both recorded –5.0°C. Tourist resort Pahalgam settled at –4.6°C, Kupwara at –4.0°C, and Shopian was the coldest in the Valley at –6.2°C.
Baramulla and Pulwama too experienced severe cold with minimum temperatures of –5.9°C and –5.8°C, respectively. Gulmarg, the famous ski destination, recorded a minimum of 0.0°C.
In central Kashmir, Budgam and Bandipora recorded –4.2°C each, while Ganderbal settled at –2.8°C and Kulgam at –2.2°C. Qazigund recorded –3.4°C, Kokernag –1.4°C, Sonamarg –3.1°C, and the strategic Zojila Pass remained in a deep freeze at –16.0°C. Srinagar Airport recorded –4.0°C.
The cold conditions were not confined to the Valley alone. In the Jammu region, the winter capital Jammu recorded a minimum of 8.8°C, while Banihal shivered at –0.7°C and Bhaderwah at 0.5°C. Batote (4.6°C), Katra (8.5°C), Kathua (8.0°C), Jammu Airport (8.6°C), Udhampur (6.0°C), Ramban (4.3°C), Samba (3.9°C), Rajouri (2.6°C), Kishtwar (4.0°C) and Reasi (7.4°C) also witnessed a noticeable nip in the air.
In the Union Territory of Ladakh, the mercury remained well below the freezing point, with Leh recording –8.2°C, Kargil –9.0°C and Nubra –6.8°C, indicating a harsh onset of winter conditions in the cold desert region.
The persistent drop in temperatures has led to frost formation in many areas of the Valley, with residents complaining of freezing water pipes and intensified morning chill. The MeT office has advised people, especially the elderly and children, to take adequate precautions against the cold conditions in the coming days as minimum temperatures are expected to remain below normal. (KINS)
