Bitter cold wave sweeps through Jammu and Kashmir

Ladakh region remained in a deep freeze as Jammu and Kashmir shivered on Saturday with night temperatures dropping several degrees below the freezing point, the Met said.

Leh at minus 15.6 was the coldest town in the state as a bitter cold wave continued to sweep through the valley.

Srinagar city recorded minus 1.2, Pahalgam and Gulmarg were minus 8.4 and minus 9.4, respectively, a Met official said.

The Kashmir Valley is passing through the 40-day long period of harsh winter condition known as the "Chillai Kalan", which started on December 21 and will end on January 30.

Heavy snowfall during the Chillai Kalan replenishes all the perennial water reservoirs in the higher reaches. It is these that sustain the valley's lakes, rivers, springs and streams during the hot summer months.

In the Jammu region, Bhaderwah was the coldest town at minus 1.8, followed by Bannihal at minus 0.2. 

Jammu city recorded 5.1, Katra town 5.6 and Batote 0.3 as their minimum temperatures.