Extreme Cold Wave Grips J&K and Ladakh: Drass Records -24.6°C in Record-Breaking Chill

SRINAGAR, January 11,2026 — An intense cold wave has tightened its grip across the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, with temperatures plummeting to record lows across several high-altitude and plains stations.

According to the latest readings compiled by Kashmir Weather, Drass remained the coldest inhabited place in the region, with the mercury dropping to a bone-chilling -24.6°C.

Other parts of Ladakh also witnessed extreme sub-zero conditions, including Nyoma at -20.3°C, Padum at -19.6°C, and the capital city of Leh, which settled at a freezing -14.4°C.In the Kashmir Valley, the winter chill intensified as Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of -5.7°C, while the Srinagar Airport plummeted further to -7.2°C.

The harshest conditions in the valley were reported in South Kashmir, where Shopian recorded -8.2°C and Pulwama hit -8.0°C. Tourist destinations were equally affected; the famous hill station of Pahalgam saw temperatures dip to -7.8°C, and the ski resort of Gulmarg registered a low of -6.8°C. Other notable lows included Sopore at -7.6°C and Awantipora at -7.0°C, leaving residents to grapple with frozen water pipes and icy roads.

The Jammu division was not spared from the plummeting temperatures, as a sharp dip was observed across the plains and hills alike. While Jammu city recorded a minimum of 3.6°C, several other districts saw temperatures drop near or below the freezing point.

Samba and Rajouri both recorded a freezing -1.6°C, and Udhampur hovered just above zero at 0.2°C. In the higher reaches of the Jammu province, Bhaderwah stayed frozen at -2.8°C, while Banihal recorded a low of -0.4°C.

These freezing conditions across both divisions have prompted local authorities to advise caution during early morning and late-night travel due to potential frost.