Srinagar freezes at -2 degrees Celsius temperatures
TDD Correspondent
Srinagar, (TDD): As winter tightens its frosty grip, the Himalayan regions of Kashmir, Jammu, and Ladakh have descended into a realm of biting cold and frozen landscapes.
With temperatures plunging well below freezing in many areas, the night brought a mix of serene beauty and harsh conditions to the people of these regions.
Kashmir experienced a freezing spell with the Zojila Pass recording the lowest temperature at a staggering -18.0°C, cementing its place as the coldest spot in the region. The higher reaches and picturesque locales like Shopian (-5.5°C), Pahalgam (-5.3°C), and Sonamarg (-4.9°C) saw their streams frozen and landscapes draped in frost, creating a mesmerizing winter wonderland.
Even the lower altitudes were not spared, with temperatures in Pulwama (-5.0°C) and Anantnag (-5.0°C) dipping sharply, leaving the valleys sparkling under a frosty blanket. In urban hubs like Srinagar (-2.1°C) and Baramulla (-2.0°C), icy winds swept through the streets, reminding residents to brace for harsher days ahead. The ski destination of Gulmarg (-3.6°C) continued to attract tourists and adventurers, undeterred by the sub-zero chill as they reveled in its pristine snow-covered slopes.
The Jammu region saw a mix of mild and severe winter conditions. The higher altitudes like Padder (-4.3°C) braved freezing temperatures, while hill stations such as Bhaderwah (1.0°C) and Banihal (1.2°C) shivered through frosty mornings.
In contrast, the plains provided some reprieve, with Jammu (8.6°C) and Kathua (8.7°C) offering relatively warmer conditions. Even so, cool winds sweeping through the plains forced residents to bundle up, signaling that winter is far from lenient. Towns like Ramban (7.3°C), Udhampur (4.2°C), and Rajouri (4.0°C) also experienced moderate chills, adding to the region’s winter narrative.
In Ladakh, known for its brutal winters, temperatures plummeted further, turning the barren landscapes into icy stillness. Kargil (-9.8°C) recorded the lowest temperature in the region, followed closely by Leh (-9.6°C), where the biting cold painted the desert in hues of frost and white.
The Drass Valley, often regarded as the coldest inhabited place in India, remains an enigma for the day as data is unavailable. Nonetheless, the entire region remains locked in an icy embrace, a testament to the unforgiving nature of Ladakhi winters.
As the cold wave grips these regions, locals are fortifying their homes and stocking up on winter essentials to battle the harsh conditions ahead. For tourists, the frozen landscapes are a spectacle of unmatched beauty, offering an opportunity to witness nature’s raw power and serenity.
The icy realms of Kashmir, Jammu, and Ladakh serve as a reminder of winter’s duality: its ability to captivate with beauty while testing resilience with its severity. (TDD)