SRINAGAR: Cold conditions persisted across Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh on Saturday, with several areas in the Kashmir Valley recording sub-zero minimum temperatures, while Ladakh continued to reel under intense cold, officials said.
Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of minus 1.5 degrees Celsius, while the Srinagar Airport registered a lower minimum of minus 2.0 degrees Celsius.
Tourist resort Gulmarg emerged as the coldest place in the Kashmir region at minus 6.5 degrees Celsius, followed by Pahalgam at minus 5.2 degrees Celsius.
Several other parts of the Valley experienced freezing night temperatures. Shopian recorded a minimum of 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 registered minus 1.6 degrees Celsius, while Kokernag recorded minus 0.8 degrees. Baramulla and Bandipora witnessed relatively milder conditions with minimum temperatures of minus 0.5 degrees and minus 0.2 degrees Celsius, respectively. Kulgam was the only place in the Valley to remain above freezing, recording a low of 1.3 degrees Celsius.
In the Jammu region, minimum temperatures stayed above the freezing point, though winter chill persisted in higher reaches. Jammu city recorded a minimum of 7.9 degrees Celsius, while Jammu Airport logged 8.8 degrees Celsius. Hill town Bhaderwah recorded a sub-zero temperature of minus 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Other parts of the region reported minimum temperatures including Banihal at 2.7 degrees Celsius, 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 temperature of minus 11.2 degrees Celsius, while Leh registered 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, particularly in higher reaches, with night temperatures expected to remain below normal in several areas.
