*Severe Cold Grips J&K, Ladakh as Mercury Plunges, Srinagar Shivers at -6°C* Srinagar, Jan 9 Intense cold conditions continued to prevail across Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh on Thursday night, with several places recording sub-zero minimum temperatures. Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of –6.0°C, while Srinagar Airport was colder at –7.4°C. Shopian emerged as the coldest place in the Valley at –7.7°C, followed by Pahalgam at –7.6°C, Pulwama at –7.5°C, Gulmarg and Zethan Rafiabad at –7.2°C each. Anantnag registered –7.1°C, Sopore –6.8°C, and Qazigund –6.2°C. Other areas including Kupwara –5.8°C, Baramulla –5.7°C, Pampore –5.5°C, Sonamarg –5.4°C, Bandipora –5.2°C and Ganderbal –5.1°C also witnessed biting cold conditions. In the Jammu region, comparatively milder temperatures were recorded, though higher reaches experienced near-freezing conditions. Jammu city recorded 5.6°C, while Jammu Airport registered 6.7°C. Katra recorded 3.5°C, Reasi 4.6°C and Kathua 6.0°C. Sub-zero temperatures were reported from Bhaderwah (–3.4°C), Rajouri (–1.7°C), Udhampur (–1.0°C) and Banihal (–0.9°C). Batote (1.0°C), Ramban (0.5°C), Doda (0.8°C) and Kishtwar (0.8°C) also witnessed chilly nights. The Ladakh region continued to reel under extreme cold, with Drass recording a bone-chilling –24.6°C, the lowest in the region. Nyoma recorded –21.6°C, Padum –20.3°C, Tangste –17.8°C, Hanle –16.2°C and Upshi –16.4°C. Leh registered –14.4°C, Nubra Valley –14.2°C, Chuchot –14.2°C, Kargil –13.2°C and Stakna –13.6°C, while comparatively warmer conditions were observed at Khaltse (–10.6°C) and Garkone (–8.8°C). The prevailing cold wave has intensified winter conditions across the region, with authorities advising residents to take adequate precautions against the severe chill.