Cold Wave Grips Kashmir as Sub-Zero Nights Continue; Tourists Enjoy Shikara Rides on Dal Lake

A cold wave continued to grip Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, with most parts of the Kashmir Valley experiencing sub-zero minimum temperatures, officials said.

Gulmarg, the famous tourist destination in north Kashmir, remained the coldest place in the Valley, recording a minimum temperature of minus 8.6 degrees Celsius. Pahalgam followed closely with a low of minus 6.8 degrees Celsius, while Shopian registered minus 6.0 degrees Celsius.

The summer capital Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of minus 4.0 degrees Celsius, with the mercury at Srinagar Airport dipping further to minus 4.8 degrees Celsius.

Other areas in the Valley also witnessed freezing nights. Anantnag recorded minus 5.6 degrees Celsius, Pulwama minus 5.4 degrees Celsius, Baramulla minus 4.0 degrees Celsius, Kupwara and Bandipora minus 3.1 degrees Celsius each. Budgam recorded a low of minus 3.9 degrees Celsius, Pampore minus 3.0 degrees Celsius, Awantipora minus 2.4 degrees Celsius and Kokernag minus 2.0 degrees Celsius. Kulgam was relatively warmer, settling at minus 0.2 degrees Celsius.

Zethan Rafiabad recorded a minimum temperature of minus 5.5 degrees Celsius, according to data compiled by Kashmir Weather, while temperature data for Ganderbal and Sonamarg was not available.

Despite the harsh cold, tourist activity continued on Dal Lake, where visitors were seen enjoying shikara rides amid the wintry conditions.

In the Jammu region, temperatures remained above freezing at most places. Jammu city recorded a minimum temperature of 5.2 degrees Celsius, while Jammu Airport logged 7.6 degrees Celsius. Kathua was the warmest in the region at 8.4 degrees Celsius.

Banihal recorded 1.5 degrees Celsius, Batote 1.7 degrees Celsius, Ramban 2.7 degrees Celsius and Doda 3.1 degrees Celsius. Rajouri touched the freezing point at 0.0 degrees Celsius, while Bhaderwah was the coldest place in the region, recording minus 2.2 degrees Celsius.

In Ladakh, Leh continued to reel under extreme cold, with the minimum temperature dropping to minus 11.2 degrees Celsius, officials added.