Sajid Raina
Srinagar, Dec 08 : With the Meteorological Department forecasting dry weather over the next ten days, minimum temperatures continued to dip across Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh on Monday, with several places in the Kashmir Valley and Ladakh recording sub-zero readings, officials said.
As per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), in the Kashmir region, Shopian recorded the coldest night at minus 4.2°C, followed by Srinagar Airport at minus 3.2°C, Budgam, Baramulla, and Pulwama at minus 3.1°C each.
Srinagar city registered a low of minus 2.4°C, while Bandipora recorded minus 2.2°C and Ganderbal minus 2.3°C. Other areas saw Kokernag at 0.1°C, Kulgam at 0.8°C, and Pahalgam at minus 0.4°C.
In the Jammu division, Katra experienced the coldest night at 9.6°C, followed by Jammu Airport at 9.0°C and Jammu city at 7.9°C.
Kathua recorded 7.8°C, Reasi 6.5°C, Batote 5.8°C, Ramban 5.6°C, Kishtwar and Doda 5.0°C each, Banihal 4.5°C, Samba 2.7°C, Bhaderwah 2.6°C, and Rajouri 1.8°C. Udhampur recorded a minimum of 2.0°C.
In Ladakh, Leh registered minus 6.2°C, Kargil minus 5.0°C, and Nubra Valley minus 3.7°C.
Officials said sub-zero temperatures are likely to continue over higher reaches of the region in the coming days and advised residents to take precautions, especially in vulnerable areas.
The Meteorological Department has forecast that dry weather is likely to persist in the region over the next ten days.
However, light snowfall is expected in the higher reaches, providing only limited relief to areas already facing water shortages.
Meanwhile, the valley is also grappling with a severe water crisis as rivers, tributaries, and springs shrink due to consistently low rainfall and reduced snowfall.
The region has, as per reports, recorded an 83 per cent rainfall deficit, placing all 10 districts in the “very low” category—(KNO)
