Srinagar, Jan 10: A biting cold wave continued to grip Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh on Saturday, with most places in the Kashmir Valley and the cold desert region recording sub-zero minimum temperatures, officials said.
In the Kashmir region, Shopian was the coldest place, registering a minimum of minus 8.2 degrees Celsius, followed closely by Pulwama at minus 8.0 degrees and Pahalgam at minus 7.8 degrees.
Srinagar city recorded a low of minus 5.7 degrees Celsius, while the temperature at Srinagar airport dipped further to minus 7.2 degrees.
Other parts of the Valley also experienced severe cold, with Sopore recording minus 7.6 degrees, Awantipora and Anantnag minus 7.0 degrees each, Gulmarg minus 6.8 degrees and Kupwara and Budgam at minus 6.1 degrees. Kokernag recorded a relatively higher minimum of minus 4.0 degrees Celsius.
In the Jammu region, temperatures were comparatively higher, though some hilly areas witnessed freezing conditions. Jammu city recorded a minimum of 3.6 degrees Celsius, while Katra registered 5.2 degrees.
Banihal recorded minus 0.4 degrees, Bhaderwah minus 2.8 degrees and Udhampur 0.2 degrees Celsius. Samba and Rajouri both recorded a low of minus 1.6 degrees Celsius, officials said.
The coldest conditions were reported from Ladakh, where Drass, often referred to as the second coldest inhabited place in the world, recorded a minimum temperature of minus 24.6 degrees Celsius.
Nyoma registered minus 20.3 degrees, Padum minus 19.6 degrees and Hanle minus 17.0 degrees. Leh recorded a low of minus 14.4 degrees, while Kargil registered minus 13.7 degrees Celsius.
Meteorological officials said the cold wave conditions are likely to persist over the next few days, especially during night and early morning hours, and advised people to take adequate precautions.(KNS)
