Cold wave conditions have tightened their grip over Jammu and Kashmir, with most parts of the Union Territory recording freezing temperatures and fresh snowfall disrupting normal life. In Leh, snowfall on Monday led to the suspension of all flight operations at the airport, officials confirmed, as weather conditions deteriorated across the region.

The Meteorological Department in Srinagar said cold and dry weather is likely to persist for the next few days, with little chance of rain or snowfall in the plains until January 7. Prolonged dry conditions combined with sub-zero temperatures have increased hardships for residents, particularly during early mornings and late evenings.

Several weather stations across the Valley continued to record below-freezing minimum temperatures. Srinagar recorded a further dip, with the minimum temperature settling at minus 3.6 degrees Celsius on Sunday night, down from minus 2.8 degrees Celsius the previous night. Jammu city remained the warmest, recording a minimum of 8.7 degrees Celsius.

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Meanwhile, popular tourist destinations including Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and Sonmarg received fresh snowfall, enhancing winter tourism in the region. Gulmarg emerged as the coldest location, with temperatures plunging to minus 8.8 degrees Celsius, even as tourist footfall surged following the snowfall.

Domestic airline IndiGo announced a temporary suspension of flights to and from Leh due to adverse weather conditions. The airline issued an advisory urging passengers to check flight status before travelling to the airport, as operations remain dependent on weather improvement.

The Valley is currently in the midst of Chillai-Kalan, the harshest 40-day winter period, traditionally marked by heavy snowfall. While the recent snow has partially eased the prolonged dry spell and improved water levels in some water bodies, authorities continue to monitor weather conditions closely due to the extreme cold.

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