KASHMIR/LEH January 06, 2026: A severe cold wave has tightened its grip across the region, with the Kashmir Valley experiencing a significant dip in mercury levels.
The famous ski resort of Gulmarg emerged as the coldest zone in the valley with a minimum temperature of -8.6°C, followed closely by Pahalgam at -6.8°C and Shopian at -6.0°C.
The summer capital, Srinagar, recorded a freezing -4.0°C, while other key areas like Anantnag and Pulwama shivered at -5.6°C and -5.4°C respectively. Even the relatively warmer Kulgam stayed just above the freezing mark at -0.2°C, marking a widespread sub-zero trend across the northern districts.
In the Jammu region, the weather remained chilly but comparatively milder, with Jammu city recording a low of 5.2°C and Katra at 4.8°C. However, certain pockets like Rajouri touched the freezing point at 0.0°C, and the hill station of Bhaderwah dipped to -2.2°C. The highest minimum temperature in the province was observed in Kathua at 8.4°C.
Meanwhile, the Union Territory of Ladakh faced extreme winter conditions, with Leh recording a staggering -11.2°C, as the entire Himalayan belt remains under the influence of dry and frigid weather patterns.
