Kashmir is in the grip of an intense cold wave, with temperatures plunging to their lowest November levels in 17 years. Residents across the region are reeling as night temperatures remain far below normal, disrupting daily routines and adding to winter hardships.
According to the Meteorological Department, minimum night temperatures are 1–4°C below normal in most parts of Kashmir, while several pockets of the Jammu division have also recorded readings below the seasonal average.
The coldest in the region was the Zojila Pass along the Srinagar Leh highway, where temperatures crashed to –16.0°C
Srinagar recorded a biting minus 4.5 degrees Celsius, while the higher reaches dipped even lower.
Shopian in south Kashmir, remained the coldest inhabited place at minus 6.7 degrees Celsius, followed by Pulwama minus 6.7 °C.
Tourist resorts were not spared either, with Pahalgam recording -5.5°C and Gulmarg -1.4°C at night.
The widespread sub-zero temperatures disrupted morning routines and adding to winter hardships across the region.
Owing to the severe cold wave, the J&K government has announced winter vacations for schools in a staggered manner from December 1. As part of the schedule, kindergarten classes were already closed from Wednesday.
The Meteorological Department said the weather is likely to remain dry till December 4 and cold wave is expected to continue for a few more days.
