Cold wave deepens in Kashmir as temperatures dip across valley

Kashmir continued to reel under intense cold wave conditions as night temperatures dropped further across most parts of the valley, the meteorological department said on Sunday. Officials attributed the sharp fall in temperatures to clear skies, which also led to widespread fog, particularly around water bodies.

Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of -4.4°C on Saturday night, slipping from -3.1°C the previous night. The reading was only marginally higher than the season’s coldest night so far, when the mercury dipped to -4.5°C on Thursday.

The coldest location in the valley was Shopian, where the minimum temperature plummeted to -6.6°C, making it the coldest place in Kashmir on Saturday night.

In other parts of the region, temperatures also remained well below freezing. Qazigund, the gateway to the valley, registered -3.0°C, while Kupwara in the north recorded -5.0°C. Kokernag in south Kashmir logged a relatively milder -1.2°C.

Tourist destinations continued to face harsh winter conditions as well. Pahalgam recorded a low of -5.6°C, and the popular ski resort Gulmarg settled at -1.4°C.

The meteorological department has predicted mainly dry weather across Kashmir till December 10, which may lead to further nighttime temperature drops.