Srinagar, Nov 26: A severe cold wave has gripped the Kashmir Valley with most areas recording sub-zero temperatures last night, marking one of the coldest spells of the season so far. Several parts of central, south and north Kashmir witnessed intense night chill as minimum temperatures dipped sharply, freezing water supplies in many localities and affecting early morning movement of locals.
According to data compiled by Kashmir Weather, Shopian emerged as the coldest place in the Valley at minus 6.2 degrees Celsius, followed closely by Baramulla at minus 5.9 degrees, Pulwama at minus 5.8 degrees, Pampore and Anantnag at minus 5.5 degrees, Awantipora and Zethan Rafiabad at minus 5.0 degrees, and Srinagar Airport at minus 4.0 degrees. The summer capital Srinagar itself recorded minus 3.9 degrees, adding to the discomfort of locals amid clear skies and strong radiational cooling.
Other places that remained below freezing include Qazigund at minus 3.4 degrees, Pahalgam at minus 4.6 degrees, Kupwara at minus 4.0 degrees, Budgam and Bandipora at minus 4.2 degrees, Kulgam at minus 2.2 degrees, Ganderbal at minus 2.8 degrees and Sonamarg at minus 3.1 degrees. The coldest reading in the region was reported from Zojila Pass, which plunged to a frigid minus 16.0 degrees.
In the Jammu region, Banihal was the only place to slip below freezing at minus 0.7 degrees, while Bhaderwah hovered around 0.5 degrees. Other stations remained above zero, though several high-altitude belts continued to experience biting cold.
In Ladakh, temperatures remained characteristically harsh with Kargil at minus 9.0 degrees, Leh at minus 8.2 degrees and Nubra at minus 6.8 degrees, reflecting the intensity of winter conditions in the region.
The prevailing cold wave is expected to persist as clear night skies allow further temperature drops. Locals across Kashmir reported frozen water taps, slippery surfaces and increased morning frost, indicating a steady deepening of winter across the Valley. [KNT]
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