Srinagar, January 6: Kashmir and Ladakh shivered as mercury plunged below freezing point today, while Jammu region experienced relatively warmer minimum temperatures.
In the Kashmir valley, Srinagar recorded a minimum of -5.4°C. Qazigund, the gateway town to the valley, was slightly warmer at -4.6°C. Tourist destinations Pahalgam and Gulmarg saw the mercury drop to -6.3°C and -4.5°C respectively. South Kashmir was coldest with Shopian recording -6.9°C and Anantnag at –6.0°C.
The Ladakh region also reeled under intense cold wave conditions, with Leh recording a bone-chilling minimum of -10.6°C. Kargil was equally frigid at -10.2°C.
Meanwhile, the Jammu region experienced relatively warmer nights. Jammu city recorded a low of 4.1°C while Banihal, on Jammu-Srinagar national highway, was at -1.6°C. Popular pilgrimage destination Katra witnessed a minimum of 5.6°C.
The night temperatures are likely to dip further during next 2-3 days as cold wave conditions intensify in J&K, Meteorological Department predicted. People have been advised to take precautions and stay indoors during early morning and late evening hours.
