Kashmir continues to reel under an intense cold wave, with temperatures across the Valley plunging well below the freezing point. Officials confirmed on Monday that Srinagar recorded this winter’s coldest night at –3.2°C, marking a sharp drop amid the region’s prolonged dry spell.
Adding to the extreme weather conditions, Shopian emerged as the coldest location in the Valley, shivering at –5.1°C, while nearby Pulwama also remained severely cold with the mercury settling at –5°C. Tourist destinations too faced bitter temperatures — Pahalgam in Anantnag district recorded a low of –4°C, and the famous ski resort Gulmarg stood at –1.9°C.
In the higher reaches, temperatures dipped even further. The strategically significant Zojila Pass, which connects Kashmir to Ladakh, plunged to an icy –16°C, highlighting the severity of the ongoing cold wave.
Kashmir has been witnessing an extended dry spell since October, with the absence of snowfall affecting agriculture, tourism, and water levels. The Meteorological Department has predicted that the dry weather is likely to continue for at least another week, keeping temperatures on the lower side and intensifying cold-wave conditions across the region.
