Srinagar: Cold wave conditions continue to grip Jammu and Kashmir amid forecast of light snowfall over higher reaches on 16th January.
A meteorological department official told news agency JKNS that, cold wave conditions persisted across Jammu and Kashmir as higher reaches Kashmir valley are expected to witness light snowfall on 16th January early morning.
Official said, In Kashmir, freezing temperatures continue to grip the valley. Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of -4.8°C, while Qazigund dropped to -5.4°C. Popular tourist destinations like Gulmarg and Pahalgam experienced severe cold at -7.4°C and -8.4°C.
Sonamarg was among the coldest places, recording -9.3°C, followed by Larnoo at -8.8°C. Other areas like Shopian (-7.9°C), Khudwani (-6.6°C), and Pulwama (-5.8°C) also witnessed sub-zero temperatures.
Similarly, Bandipora, Kupwara, Budgam, and Ganderbal all recorded temperatures around -4.7°C, while Baramulla was slightly warmer at -3.4°C. Kokernag noted a chilly -4.6°C, and Kulgam recorded -5.8°C. However, data for Anantnag was not available.
Jammu city recorded a minimum of 6.0°C, while Katra was slightly warmer at 6.8°C. Banihal experienced sub-zero temperatures at -1.5°C, and Bhaderwah recorded -0.7°C. Padder remained the coldest area in the Jammu region at -8.1°C. Other areas like Batote (2.1°C), Kishtwar (2.0°C), and Ramban (4.5°C) had temperatures above freezing. Poonch recorded 2.8°C, Rajouri 1.5°C, and Samba and Kathua noted 2.3°C and 6.3°C, he said.
In Ladakh, extreme cold prevailed with Leh recording -12.2°C, while Kargil dipped to -13.7°C. Drass remained the coldest place in the region at a bone-chilling -22.0°C, he added.
The meteorological department has predicted light snow over the isolated higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir on 16th January.
An official at MET Srinagar told JKNS that, dry and cloudy weather is expected across Jammu and Kashmir till 19th January, with higher reaches likely to witness light snowfall on 16th morning, he said. (JKNS)
