Srinagar: Kashmir continues to reel under freezing temperatures, while an approaching Western Disturbance is expected to bring rain and snowfall to parts of Jammu & Kashmir in the coming days.
The meteorological department official told news agency JKNS that, in Kashmir, Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of -2.5°C, while Qazigund dropped to -3.8°C. Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination, recorded -4.2°C, and Gulmarg registered a bone-chilling -7.0°C. Sonamarg remained one of the coldest places at -7.7°C. Other areas like Larnoo and Shopian recorded temperatures of -5.9°C and -5.6°C.
Kupwara, Kokernag, Bandipora, and Ganderbal recorded minimums of -1.9°C, -2.2°C, -2.0°C, and -2.3°C, respectively. Baramulla saw a low of -1.7°C, while Pulwama, Anantnag, Kulgam, and Khudwani recorded -3.1°C, -3.7°C, -4.0°C, and -4.2°C, official said.
In the Jammu region, Jammu city recorded a relatively warm 7.7°C, while Katra saw 8.0°C. Banihal registered 0.6°C, Bhaderwah recorded -0.6°C, and Padder remained the coldest in the region at -7.2°C. Other areas like Batote, Kishtwar, Ramban, Poonch, and Rajouri recorded 3.5°C, 2.4°C, 6.1°C, 2.4°C, and 1.6°C, respectively. Samba, Kathua, Reasi, and Udhampur noted 4.3°C, 7.3°C, 5.8°C, and 4.7°C, respectively.
In Ladakh, extreme cold persisted with Leh recording -11.0°C and Kargil at -10.0°C. Drass, often referred to as the coldest inhabited place in India, recorded a frigid -17.1°C.
Independent weather forecaster Faizan Arif told JKNS that parts of Doda and Kishtwar districts are likely to receive rain and snow showers. Light to moderate snowfall is also expected in Sonamarg, Gulmarg, and other higher reaches of Anantnag, Kulgam, and Shopian districts.
The approaching Western Disturbance may bring rain and snow showers to a few plains of Jammu & Kashmir, while the Kargil-Drass axis is also likely to see snow showers, Faizan added. (JKNS)
