Cold weather has once again gripped the Kashmir Valley. Night temperatures have dropped to near freezing in many areas. Gulmarg recorded a minimum temperature of minus 8.8 degrees Celsius, the lowest this winter season so far. In the capital, Srinagar, the mercury dropped to minus 3.6 degrees Celsius.
While the sun shone during the day on Monday, cold winds brought no relief. According to the Meteorological Department, the cold is expected to intensify in the coming days, and temperatures are expected to drop by about three degrees Celsius this week.
According to data, the maximum temperature in Srinagar on Monday was 9.7 degrees Celsius, slightly above normal, while the minimum temperature was below normal.
In Qazigund, the gateway to Kashmir, the maximum temperature was 8.5 degrees Celsius and the minimum was minus 1.0 degrees Celsius. Pahalgam recorded a daytime temperature of 7.0 degrees Celsius and a nighttime temperature of minus 4.8 degrees Celsius.
The tourist destination of Gulmarg recorded a maximum daytime temperature of only 2.0 degrees Celsius, while the night temperature dropped to minus 8.8 degrees Celsius. Nights were also extremely cold in other areas of the Kashmir division. Minimum temperatures were recorded at minus 4.2 degrees Celsius in Pulwama, minus 5.6 degrees Celsius in Shopian, minus 3.5 degrees Celsius in Budgam, and minus 3.6 degrees Celsius in the Srinagar airport area.
Although the Jammu division experienced milder temperatures than Kashmir, temperatures in higher altitudes dropped below freezing. Minimum temperatures were recorded at minus 1.3 degrees Celsius in Banihal, minus 2.1 degrees Celsius in Bhaderwah, and 2.1 degrees Celsius in Batote. The nighttime temperature in Jammu city was 8.7 degrees Celsius.
The effects of the cold were also clearly visible in the Ladakh region. The minimum temperature in Leh was recorded at minus 9.6 degrees Celsius, Kargil at minus 8.4 degrees Celsius, and the Nubra Valley at minus 7.5 degrees Celsius.
The Meteorological Department has advised people to remain vigilant, saying that the cold may intensify in the coming days, and therefore, extra caution is needed, especially in the morning and evening.
