Srinagar, Jan 11 (JKNS): Severe cold conditions continued across Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh on Saturday night, with most places in the Kashmir Valley recording sub-zero minimum temperatures, while Drass in Ladakh emerged as the coldest place at –24.5°C, officials said.
Data compiled by independent weather channel Kashmir Weather as per news agency JkNS, Srinagar city recorded a minimum temperature of –5.2°C, while Qazigund settled at –5.8°C and Pahalgam at –7.6°C. Kupwara recorded –5.6°C, Kokernag –3.4°C and Gulmarg –6.2°C. Srinagar Airport registered –6.0°C, Awantipora –6.8°C, Budgam –6.1°C and Anantnag –7.1°C.
Other areas in the Valley also witnessed intense cold, with Baramulla recording –6.1°C, Bandipora –5.1°C, Pulwama –7.7°C, Shopian –8.6°C, Ganderbal –5.0°C, Sonamarg –4.3°C, Zethan Rafiabad –6.8°C and Sopore –7.7°C. Minimum temperature data for Kulgam was not available.
In the Jammu region, comparatively milder conditions prevailed, though some higher reaches experienced near-freezing temperatures. Jammu city recorded a minimum of 4.0°C, Banihal 7.1°C, Batote 3.0°C, Katra 4.4°C and Bhaderwah –2.0°C. Kathua recorded 4.2°C, Jammu Airport 4.6°C, Udhampur 0.8°C, Ramban 2.3°C, Samba –0.7°C, Rajouri –1.6°C, Kishtwar 2.7°C, Reasi 2.2°C, Doda 2.9°C and Poonch 1.9°C.
Ladakh continued to reel under extreme cold conditions, with Leh recording –13.4°C, Hanle –16.3°C, Kargil –12.3°C, Nubra Valley –13.4°C and Padum –18.3°C. Nyoma settled at –17.7°C, Stakna –13.1°C, Tangste –17.4°C, Khaltse –10.6°C, Upshi –15.3°C, Chuchot –13.5°C and Garkone –8.7°C, while Drass recorded a biting low of –24.5°C.
Meanwhile, the Meteorological Centre Srinagar forecast partly cloudy weather across Jammu and Kashmir from January 11 to 15. From January 16 to 17, generally cloudy conditions with light rain or snowfall are likely at isolated to scattered higher reaches of the Kashmir division.
The forecast further stated that weather will remain partly to generally cloudy on January 18 and 19, while January 20 may witness generally cloudy conditions with light rain or snow at isolated places. From January 21 to 23, partly to generally cloudy weather with light rain or snowfall at scattered places is expected, followed by partly cloudy conditions on January 24 and 25.
Advising the public, the MeT Centre said there is likely to be a gradual rise in minimum temperatures at many places from Sunday onwards. It also warned of moderate fog over the plains of the Jammu division, with dense fog at isolated places likely to persist over the next five days. (JKNS)
