Fresh snowfall and plummeting temperatures in IIOJK
Srinagar: In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), the first snowfall of the season in the plains has led to a further drop in temperatures, with the Meteorological Department predicting a severe cold wave across several areas for the next four days.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the minimum temperature in Srinagar, the summer capital of IIOJK, was recorded at minus 2°C today (Friday), down from minus 0.5°C the previous night.
Meteorological officials reported that Gulmarg, a popular tourist destination in the Kashmir Valley, recorded the coldest temperature, plummeting to minus 9.6°C, compared to minus 5.2°C the previous night.
Another popular tourist resort Pahalgam in south Kashmir experienced its coldest night of the season at minus 9.4°C, a significant drop from minus 4.6 °C recorded the previous night.
Qazigund, the gateway town to Kashmir Valley, registered a low of minus 1.4°C, while Kupwara in north Kashmir recorded a minimum of minus 2.5 °C, and Kokernag in south Kashmir logged minus 1.8 °C.
Snowfall of light to moderate intensity was reported in the upper regions of Gulmarg, Sonmarg, Tangmarg, Gurez, and Zoji La Pass on Thursday. Zojila recorded minus 28 °C. Additionally, light snowfall was recorded in the plains of Shopian, Pulwama, and Baramulla, as well as in the higher reaches of Islamabad, Budgam, and Bandipora.
Due to accumulation of snow along the Zojila Pass, the Srinagar-Leh highway was closed for traffic, while the Bandipora-Gurez road and Mughal Road were also shut.
The minimum temperature in the Kashmir Valley is expected to drop further, with a cold wave forecast to persist in many areas over the next four days.
