NVI Correspondent
Srinagar, Dec 04 (NVI): The winter chill has intensified across Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh with temperatures plummeting to freezing and sub-zero levels.
From the picturesque valleys of Kashmir to the snow-clad mountains of Ladakh, the region is firmly in the grasp of winter.
Kashmir is experiencing widespread frost, with most places recording sub-zero temperatures overnight.
Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of -2.0°C, leading to frost-covered mornings and icy winds.
Qazigund and Ganderbal, at -2.2°C, are witnessing chilly mornings, typical of early winter.
Pahalgam, a tourist favorite, dropped to -4.8°C, one of the coldest spots in the region, while nearby Anantnag also saw a biting -3.9°C.
Kupwara registered -1.2°C, slightly warmer but still cold enough for icy patches to form.
Snowy Gulmarg, a skier’s paradise, saw -3.5°C, ideal for winter sports enthusiasts.
Sonamarg was slightly colder at -3.7°C, while the high-altitude Zojila Pass plunged to an extreme -17.0°C, reflecting the harshness of winter in the upper reaches.
Southern districts like Pulwama, Shopian, and Larnoo recorded equal lows of -4.7°C, and Bandipora followed closely at -2.3°C. The relatively warmer Kokernag stood at 0.4°C, providing some respite in an otherwise frozen region.
Compared to Kashmir, Jammu is relatively milder, though some parts of the region are seeing a significant drop in temperatures.
Jammu city recorded a minimum of 8.4°C, still cold for its residents accustomed to a temperate climate.
Katra, the base camp for the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage, recorded 10.0°C, the highest in the region.
Hill towns like Banihal (3.2°C) and Bhaderwah (1.4°C) are much colder, with Bhaderwah inching closer to freezing levels.
Padder, in the higher reaches, recorded -3.5°C, mirroring Kashmir’s cold conditions.
Other areas like Batote (6.5°C), Kathua (8.3°C), Samba (4.8°C), and Udhampur (4.5°C) stayed cool, while Rajouri (4.4°C) and Reasi (7.0°C) added to the region’s cold weather narrative.
Known for its unforgiving winters, Ladakh continues to endure extreme cold.
Leh shivered at -8.8°C, and Kargil followed closely at -7.9°C. These temperatures reflect the onset of Ladakh’s harsh winter, where sub-zero readings are a norm even during the day.
The icy cold has painted the entire region in shades of white and gray. The Kashmir Valley’s rivers and lakes, including parts of the Dal Lake in Srinagar, have started freezing at the edges. Frost-covered trees and snow-laden mountain peaks add to the enchanting winter landscape, attracting tourists.
In Jammu, the weather is more tolerable but still cold enough for locals to pull out heavy woolens. The higher-altitude towns face frost and icy winds, with regions like Banihal and Bhaderwah often becoming gateways to snowfall.
Meanwhile, Ladakh transforms into a winter wonderland but remains challenging for its residents, who rely on stockpiles and traditional heating methods to combat the freezing temperatures.
As the season progresses, the region is expected to get colder, with more snow and frost adding to both the beauty and the challenges of life in these high-altitude areas- (News Vibes of India)
