The Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh regions experienced a significant drop in minimum temperatures today, reflecting the onset of harsh winter conditions.

Kashmir Region: Extreme Cold Across Valleys

In the Kashmir region, the mercury dipped notably across all major locations. Shopian emerged as the coldest spot, registering a bone-chilling -6.1°C. Other areas also reported freezing temperatures, with Anantnag at -5.1°C, Pahalgam at -4.8°C, and Qazigund and Kulgam both at -4.0°C. Gulmarg and Kupwara recorded -3.8°C and -3.7°C, respectively, while Srinagar, the summer capital, experienced a low of -3.4°C. Remarkably, Zojila Pass reported an extreme low of -22.0°C, highlighting the brutal cold in high-altitude areas.

Jammu Region: Moderate Chill in Plains and Cold in Highlands

The Jammu region recorded more moderate temperatures compared to Kashmir. The winter capital, Jammu, reported a minimum of 6.6°C, while Katra recorded 8.4°C. Highland areas experienced cooler conditions, with Banihal at 1.8°C and Padder at 0.3°C. Other notable readings included Samba at 2.2°C, Udhampur at 2.9°C, and Poonch at 4.8°C. Ramban’s temperature remains unrecorded, but nearby areas indicate a dip in temperatures across the region.

Ladakh: Bitter Cold in Leh and Kargil

In Ladakh, winter’s grip is evident with Leh recording -10.5°C and Kargil dropping further to -11.2°C. Temperatures in Drass, often dubbed the “coldest inhabited place in India,” were unavailable but are expected to have plummeted significantly.

The sharp decline in temperatures signals the approach of harsher winter days, particularly in Kashmir and Ladakh. Residents have started bracing for snow and icy conditions as the region prepares for the deep winter freeze.