Cold Wave Grips Parts of India as Kashmir Sees Sub-Zero Nights, North Plains Shiver

Cold conditions continued to prevail across several parts of India, with the Kashmir Valley experiencing intense winter chill and sub-zero night temperatures, while parts of Haryana and Punjab recorded minimum temperatures below 5 degrees Celsius.

Officials said the tourist resort of Sonamarg in central Kashmir emerged as the coldest location in the region, with temperatures plunging to minus 10.1 degrees Celsius. Gulmarg in north Kashmir also remained bitterly cold, recording a low of minus 7.6 degrees Celsius.

In Srinagar, the minimum temperature improved slightly to minus 1.6 degrees Celsius, while Pahalgam in south Kashmir recorded a low of minus 7.2 degrees Celsius. Other parts of the valley, including Qazigund, Kokernag and Kupwara, also continued to witness freezing or near-freezing conditions.

The region is currently observing Chilla-e-Kalan, a 40-day period marked by extreme cold and heightened chances of snowfall, during which temperatures frequently dip well below the freezing point.

Meanwhile, biting cold extended across parts of northern India. In Haryana, Narnaul was the coldest location, with temperatures falling to 4 degrees Celsius, while Bhiwani recorded a minimum of 5 degrees. Other areas, including Ambala, Rohtak, Hisar and Karnal, saw temperatures ranging between 8 and 9 degrees Celsius.

Punjab also experienced chilly conditions, with Bathinda recording the lowest minimum in the State at 4.6 degrees Celsius. Cities such as Amritsar, Ludhiana, Patiala and Gurdaspur reported single-digit temperatures, while Chandigarh, the shared capital of Punjab and Haryana, recorded a minimum of 7.6 degrees Celsius.

Meteorological officials said cold wave conditions are likely to persist in the coming days, urging residents to take precautions against extreme weather, especially during night and early morning hours.