Biting cold sweeps IIOJK; Drass freezes at −24.6°C
Srinagar: A severe cold wave continued to grip Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, with the Valley and Ladakh regions experiencing freezing conditions. Most areas are recording sub-zero minimum temperatures.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Shopian in the Kashmir Valley was the coldest place, registering a minimum of minus 8.2°C, followed closely by Pulwama at minus 8.0 °C and Pahalgam at minus 7.8 °C.
Srinagar city recorded a low of minus 5.7 °C, while the temperature at Srinagar airport dipped further to minus 7.2 °C. Other parts of the Valley also experienced bitter cold, with Sopore recording minus 7.6 °C, Awantipora and Islamabad minus 7.0 °C each, Gulmarg minus 6.8 °C and Kupwara and Budgam at minus 6.1 °C. Kokernag recorded a relatively higher minimum of minus 4.0 degrees °C.
In the Jammu region, temperatures were comparatively higher, though some hilly areas witnessed freezing conditions.
Ladakh recorded the coldest temperatures, with Drass, the second coldest inhabited place in the world, recorded a minimum temperature of minus 24.6 °C. Nyoma registered minus 20.3 °C, Padum minus 19.6 °C and Hanle minus 17.0 °C. Leh recorded a low of minus 14.4 °C, while Kargil registered minus 13.7 °C.
Meteorological officials have warned that the cold wave conditions are likely to persist over the next few days, especially during night and early morning hours.
