A severe cold wave continued to sweep across Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh on Wednesday, with minimum temperatures plunging well below the freezing point at several places, freezing water bodies in Kashmir, disrupting transport in Jammu due to dense fog, and intensifying winter hardships across the region.
In the Kashmir Valley, Shopian in south Kashmir emerged as the coldest place, recording a biting minimum temperature of -7.5°C. It was followed by Pulwama at -7.0°C, Anantnag -6.6°C, Awantipora -6.4°C and Kupwara -6.2°C. The summer capital Srinagar recorded a low of -5.2°C, while Srinagar Airport and Pahalgam both settled at -6.0°C.
Prolonged sub-zero temperatures led to the freezing of parts of the iconic Dal Lake and several other water bodies across the Valley. Interior portions of Dal Lake were seen frozen as Chilla-i-Kalan—the harshest 40-day period of winter—continued to tighten its grip. The intense cold phase, which began on December 21, will last till January 30 and is traditionally associated with the highest chances of snowfall.
Tourist destinations also experienced freezing nights, with Gulmarg recording -3.8°C and Sonamarg -2.2°C. Other areas including Budgam (-5.4°C), Qazigund (-5.3°C), Pampore (-5.0°C), Bandipora (-4.5°C) and Kokernag (-2.3°C) remained under the influence of severe cold conditions.
A Meteorological Department official told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS) said the cold wave was typical for this phase of winter. “Such temperatures are normal during Chilla-i-Kalan.
People are advised to take precautions against frost and icy conditions, especially during night and early morning hours,” the official said, adding that a western disturbance is likely to affect Kashmir’s weather from January 16 onwards.
In the Jammu Division, cold conditions persisted alongside dense fog, severely affecting daily life. Poonch recorded the lowest temperature in the division at -7.0°C, while Rajouri settled at -0.6°C. Temperatures in Bhaderwah (0.5°C), Udhampur (1.0°C) and Samba (1.5°C) hovered close to the freezing mark. Jammu city recorded a minimum of 4.0°C, while Jammu Airport logged 4.8°C. Relatively milder conditions prevailed in Banihal (5.3°C) and Katra (5.5°C).
Dense fog in Jammu disrupted air and rail services, throwing normal life out of gear. “Due to poor visibility caused by dense fog, flight operations at Jammu Airport remained affected since morning,” an official said. Rail services were also hit, with trains arriving three to four hours late, a senior railway official confirmed, attributing the delays to widespread fog across northern India.
The Meteorological Department said foggy conditions are likely to persist for the next few days along with continued chilly weather. In response to the harsh cold, the administration has extended winter vacations in schools till January 14, while several institutions are conducting online classes for primary sections.
In Ladakh, extreme cold conditions continued unabated, making it one of the coldest regions in the country. Leh recorded a bone-chilling -11.4°C, Nubra Valley -10.4°C and Kargil -10.0°C.
Meanwhile, life in the plains of Jammu bore the brunt of the cold wave, with roadside vendors seen burning firewood to keep warm. Business establishments installed heaters and warmers for visitors, while vehicular movement remained slow as motorists used headlights even during daytime to navigate through thick fog and avoid accidents.
Authorities have urged people across Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh to remain cautious as the cold wave persists, particularly during night and early morning hours.(KINS)
