• Jammu records coldest night of the season
• Sonamarg records -9.6 °C, Pahalgam -8.4°C, Gulmarg -7.6°C
• Cold weather to continue for next 5 days: MeT
Srinagar, Dec 14: As a cold wave grips the region, Jammu and Kashmir are experiencing coldest temperatures of the season. Jammu recorded its coldest night so far, with temperatures plummeting to 3.6°C, while Srinagar braved a freezing -4.6°C on Saturday night.
Officials have forecast that these cold conditions will persist, with dry and chilly weather expected to continue until December 20. According to the Meteorological Department (MeT), Jammu recorded its lowest minimum temperature of the season on Saturday, dipping to 3.6°C, surpassing the previous low for this year.
The previous minimum temperature recorded for Jammu was 2.3°C on December 18, 2021, while the all-time record for the city was 0.9°C, which occurred on December 28, 1998.
In the Kashmir Valley, sub-zero temperatures were widespread, with several areas experiencing severe cold. The MeT department warned that the cold wave would persist for the next few days, with night temperatures expected to drop further and foggy conditions likely to affect vehicular and air traffic during morning and evening hours.
Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad, Director of MeT, told Rising Kashmir that the prolonged cold spell has affected various regions in Kashmir, Jammu, and Ladakh. “Several places have been experiencing sub-zero temperatures for the past few days, and the trend is expected to continue. We advise the public to follow the relevant advisories to avoid any incidents caused by icy conditions and sub-freezing temperatures over higher reaches,” he added.
Over the past three weeks, Kashmir has faced a prolonged spell of frigid temperatures, with the Valley reporting minimum temperatures between -3°C and -12°C. These extreme conditions have led to the freezing of water bodies and a significant drop in daytime temperatures.
On Saturday, Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 9.4°C and a minimum of -4.6°C. Sonamarg, a popular tourist resort, recorded the Valley’s lowest temperature at -9.6°C. Other areas in the Valley also experienced harsh conditions, including Pahalgam at -8.4°C, Gulmarg at -7.6°C, and Kupwara at -4.7°C. In South Kashmir, Shopian recorded -8.3°C, while Pulwama dipped to -7.9°C, and Anantnag reached -7.7°C.
The central Kashmir areas of Ganderbal and Budgam recorded -4.8°C and -5.5°C, respectively, while Bandipora saw temperatures drop to -4.2°C. Ladakh’s Leh and Kargil endured some of the harshest conditions, with temperatures plunging to -13.0°C and -14.3°C, respectively.
Meanwhile, a traffic police spokesman said there was slow movement observed on NH-44 due to breakdown of HMVs, single lane traffic at Dalwas, Mehad and between Marog and Kishtwari Pather.
On Srinagar-Jammu highway, subject to fair weather and better road conditions LMVs and HMVs shall be allowed from both sides on the highway and TCU Jammu/Srinagar shall liaise with TCU Ramban for road condition.
It further said that security forces vehicles shall be allowed from both sides on Jammu-Srinagar NHW (NH-44) viz Jammu towards Srinagar and vice-versa.
The traffic on Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri highway, Mughal road and Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag is closed and traffic will be released after getting a green signal from road maintenance agencies.
