Srinagar, Dec 12 : The intense cold wave gripping Jammu & Kashmir tightened overnight as temperatures plunged across the region, pushing several districts into severe sub-zero conditions.

Pulwama remained the coldest inhabited area in the Valley after recording a bone-chilling -5.5°C, while Shopian followed closely at -5.0°C.

According to the data shared by independent weather channel Kashmir Weather as per news agency JKNS, Srinagar city shivered at -3.6°C, with its outskirts witnessing even harsher conditions Srinagar Airport logged a minimum of -4.0°C. Qazigund recorded -2.8°C, and Kokernag stayed just below freezing at -0.7°C.

Tourist hotspots also felt the freeze. Pahalgam and Anantnag reported lows of -4.6°C, whereas Gulmarg hovered around the freezing mark at 0.0°C. In north Kashmir, Kupwara dropped to -3.6°C, Baramulla dipped to -4.7°C, and Zethan Rafiabad registered -4.8°C. The icy Zojila Pass remained one of the coldest points in the region, touching an extreme -18°C.

The cold wave swept through central and south Kashmir as well-Budgam recorded -4.3°C, Pampore -3.5°C, Awantipora -4.2°C, and Bandipora -3.6°C. Sonamarg settled at -1.3°C, while Kulgam stayed relatively milder at -0.6°C.

In the Jammu division, temperatures dipped notably. Jammu city recorded 8.5°C and Katra 9.4°C, while the upper districts witnessed much sharper declines. Udhampur touched 2.8°C, Bhaderwah 1.9°C, and Rajouri 1.6°C. Samba recorded 3.2°C, Ramban 4.2°C, and Kathua 7.6°C.

Icy conditions continue to persist in the Ladakh region as well, where Leh recorded -7.8°C, Kargil -7.0°C, and Nubra Valley -6.3°C. (JKNS)