Kashmir Freezes Again as Zojila Records –18°C, Gulmarg at –5.5°C

Srinagar, Dec 10: The Kashmir Valley experienced a severe cold wave on Tuesday night, with minimum temperatures dropping below freezing across most areas. Gulmarg emerged as the coldest inhabited location at –5.5°C, while Zojila Pass recorded the harshest low of –18°C, according to Kashmir Weather data.

Srinagar city recorded a low of –1.9°C, with Srinagar Airport colder at –3.6°C. Other key locations in the valley included Qazigund –1.6°C, Kokernag –1.8°C, Pampore –2.5°C, Budgam –3.0°C, and in south Kashmir, Anantnag and Bandipora –2.6°C each, while Pulwama –3.7°C and Shopian –4.3°C shivered under the frost.

Tourist spots Pahalgam and Sonamarg recorded –3.6°C and –1.6°C respectively. In north Kashmir, Kupwara –4.2°C, Baramulla –4.5°C, and Zethan Rafiabad –4.8°C were among the coldest. Some pockets such as Kulgam (–0.6°C) and Ganderbal (–0.9°C) remained relatively warmer but still below freezing.

Jammu division experienced milder conditions, with Jammu city at 8.4°C, Katra 9.5°C, Batote and Doda 6.5°C each, while Samba 3.3°C, Rajouri 2.0°C, and Bhaderwah 0.8°C reported chilly nights. Udhampur and Banihal recorded 4.8°C and 5.4°C respectively.

In Ladakh, temperatures plunged significantly, with Leh –5.5°C, Kargil –5.1°C, and Nubra Valley –2.5°C, highlighting the intensifying cold across the region.

Meteorologists have warned that the cold wave over J&K and Ladakh is likely to intensify further in the coming days, as no major weather system is expected to provide immediate relief.