Srinagar, Jan 3: Cold conditions persisted across Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh on Saturday, with several places in the Kashmir Valley recording sub-zero minimum temperatures, while Ladakh continued to experience intense cold, officials said.
According to data compiled by Kashmir Weather, Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of minus 1.5 degrees Celsius, while the nearby Srinagar Airport registered a low of minus 2.0 degrees Celsius.
Tourist resort Gulmarg was the coldest place in the Kashmir region at minus 6.5 degrees Celsius, followed by Pahalgam at minus 5.2 degrees Celsius.
Other parts of the Valley also witnessed freezing night temperatures. Shopian recorded minus 4.7 degrees Celsius, Pulwama minus 3.9 degrees, Anantnag minus 3.0 degrees, and Qazigund minus 2.6 degrees Celsius. Awantipora and Budgam recorded minimum temperatures of minus 2.4 degrees and minus 2.0 degrees Celsius, respectively.
Kupwara and Ganderbal both recorded minus 1.6 degrees Celsius, while Kokernag recorded minus 0.8 degrees. Baramulla and Bandipora saw relatively milder conditions with minimum temperatures of minus 0.5 degrees and minus 0.2 degrees Celsius, respectively. Kulgam recorded a low of 1.3 degrees Celsius.
In the Jammu region, temperatures remained above freezing but continued to reflect winter chill in higher reaches. Jammu city recorded a minimum of 7.9 degrees Celsius, while Jammu Airport recorded 8.8 degrees Celsius. Bhaderwah, a hill town, recorded a sub-zero temperature of minus 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Other places in the region recorded minimum temperatures including Banihal at 2.7 degrees, Batote at 4.2 degrees, Udhampur at 5.0 degrees, Rajouri at 3.2 degrees, and Kishtwar at 3.6 degrees Celsius.
In Ladakh, cold conditions intensified further, with Kargil recording a minimum of minus 11.2 degrees Celsius, while Leh recorded minus 10.6 degrees Celsius. Nubra Valley recorded a low of minus 8.2 degrees Celsius.
Weather officials said cold conditions are likely to persist, especially in higher reaches, with night temperatures remaining below normal in several areas.(KNS)
