kashmir-shivers-under-cold-wave-zojila-freezes-at-minus-31-degrees

Following back-to-back snowfall spells in the region, intense cold wave conditions have intensified across Jammu and Kashmir, with temperatures plummeting to minus 4.4 degrees Celsius in Srinagar.

 

The coldest spots in Kashmir were Larnoo (Anantnag) -11.6 degrees Celsius, Pahalgam -10.4 degrees Celsius, Gulmarg -9.6 degrees Celsius, Shopian -9.9 degrees Celsius, Anantnag, and Kulgam -8.4 degrees Celsius.

 

Ladakh experienced the most extreme conditions, with Drass recording an unbearable -24.8 degrees Celsius, followed by Kargil (-14.6 degrees Celsius) and Leh (-13.3 degrees Celsius). Zojila has recorded the lowest temperature at -31 degrees Celsius.

 

The Met Office Srinagar has forecasted minimum temperatures to drop further in the coming days as dry weather conditions are likely to persist in the region, intensifying the winter chill. Although there are chances of light snowfall at isolated places on Saturday.

 

In Jammu, while conditions were less severe, cold persisted in hill towns like Padder at -5.1 degrees Celsius and Bhaderwah at -0.2 degrees Celsius.

 

Meanwhile, authorities have issued several advisories to residents and tourists to take precautions as the cold spell continues in the region.

 

Subsequently, this has led to the blockade of the roads and national highways, including the strategic Srinagar-Kargil Highway connecting the Union Territory (UT) of Ladakh.

 

Additionally, Prime Minister Modi is likely to inaugurate the 6.4-kilometre-long Z-Morh tunnel on the Srinagar-Sonamarg Highway on January 13.

 

Furthermore, keeping in view prevalent weather conditions, the SSP Traffic Police UT of Ladakh, Altaf Ahmad Shah, in a public notice, has informed the general public, especially commuters, drivers, and tourists, that the traffic on the Kargil-Srinagar highway (Zojila pass) shall remain suspended due to icy road conditions and inclement road conditions.

 

The notification said, “Whereby maintenance work on the road shall be carried out by the concerned agencies from January 11 to January 14, 2025.”

 

“Traffic shall resume on the highway on January 14 subject to weather conditions," the notice reads.

 

The Zojila pass on the Srinagar-Ladakh Highway will remain closed due to heavy snow accumulation and freezing conditions as minimum temperatures in Zojila plummeted to record -31.0°C on Thursday.