GULMARG/SRINAGAR: Kashmir’s winter tightened its grip as officials confirmed that Gulmarg recorded the season’s coldest night at -8.8°C, the lowest so far this winter, after a fresh spell of snowfall. At the same time, Mughal Road and the Kishtwar–Sinthan–Anantnag (Sinthan Top) road remain closed for all vehicles due to snow accumulation, even as the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) stays open with slow-moving traffic.
The intense cold wave is unfolding in the peak of Chilla-e-Kalan, the harshest 40-day winter phase in Kashmir, when night temperatures routinely drop several degrees below freezing.
Key Highlights
- Coldest in Kashmir: Gulmarg records -8.8°C, the season’s lowest night temperature in the Valley.
- Mountain Roads Closed: Mughal Road and Sinthan Top (NH-244) shut for traffic due to fresh snow accumulation.
- NH-44 Status: Jammu–Srinagar highway remains open both ways, but single-lane stretches at Ramban sector cause slow movement.
Main Report: Deep Freeze Tightens Grip on Kashmir
According to the Meteorological Centre Srinagar, Gulmarg in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district recorded a minimum of -8.8°C, making it the coldest night of this winter after another spell of snowfall over the weekend.
The wider Valley also remained under a cold wave. Official figures for the last night show:
- Srinagar: -3.6°C
- Pahalgam: -4.8°C
- Qazigund: -2.0°C
- Kokernag: -1.2°C
- Kupwara: -1.8°C
In many neighbourhoods of north and central Kashmir, residents woke up to frozen taps, icy sidewalks and thin layers of frost on parked vehicles. In higher reaches around Gulmarg and Shopian, locals reported partially frozen water bodies and stiff morning winds, typical of mid-Chilla-e-Kalan.
The MeT office has indicated that the cold wave is likely to persist, with night temperatures expected to stay 2–3°C below normal in many parts of Kashmir over the next few days, especially in the upper reaches.
Road Closures and Traffic Advisory
Authorities have suspended traffic on Mughal Road, the crucial seasonal link between Shopian (Kashmir) and Poonch/Rajouri (Pir Panjal region), after fresh snowfall at Pir Ki Gali, where 3–5 inches of snow have been reported in recent days.
The Kishtwar–Sinthan–Anantnag road (NH-244), which connects the Chenab Valley to south Kashmir via Sinthan Top, also remains closed for vehicular movement because of snow accumulation at higher elevations. Several recent traffic advisories have repeated that no civilian vehicles will be allowed on this stretch until further notice.
By contrast, the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) is open for both LMVs and HMVs, but traffic police have warned of slow movement on key bottlenecks in the Ramban sector, including Banihal, Nashri–Dalwas and stretches between Marog and Kishtwari Pather, where the road is effectively single-lane at points.
Commuters have been advised to:
- Start early in the day to avoid night travel between Nashri and NAVYUG tunnels.
- Maintain lane discipline and avoid overtaking on narrow or slippery stretches.
- Confirm the latest status from Traffic Control Units (TCUs) in Jammu, Srinagar, Ramban and Udhampur before travelling.
Official Statements
A senior official at the Meteorological Centre Srinagar said that Gulmarg has now logged the coldest night of this winter at -8.8°C, after having hovered around -6.5°C on the previous two nights. The official added that the Valley remains in the core phase of Chilla-e-Kalan and that “the cold wave is likely to continue during late-night and early-morning hours in the coming days.”
In its latest traffic plan and advisory for 6 January 2026, the J&K Traffic Police Headquarters reiterated that Mughal Road and Kishtwar–Sinthan–Anantnag (NH-244) are closed due to fresh snow accumulation, while NH-44 is open, subject to fair weather and road conditions. Citizens have been urged to travel only after checking with TCUs and to strictly follow instructions issued by on-ground traffic personnel.
Impact / Reader Takeaway for J&K Residents
Travel Plans
- Residents of Rajouri and Poonch who usually rely on Mughal Road must currently use the longer NH-44 route via Jammu to reach Srinagar or other Valley districts.
- People from Kishtwar, Doda and adjoining areas cannot use the Sinthan Top route to south Kashmir and must plan via NH-44 until snow clearance is completed.
Tourism & Local Businesses
- Tourists staying in Gulmarg should be prepared for very low night temperatures, possible disruptions in water supply due to frozen lines, and slower travel times to and from Tangmarg and Srinagar.
- Hotel owners and transporters in Gulmarg and Pahalgam may see strong tourist interest in snow, but must factor in cold-related constraints on road movement and services.
Health & Daily Life
- Elderly residents, children and people with respiratory or cardiac ailments are advised to avoid early-morning and late-night exposure, wear layered clothing and keep homes adequately ventilated to prevent smoke build-up from traditional heating devices.
- Households should protect exposed water pipes and store sufficient drinking water to manage freezing episodes in the mornings.
What You Should Do Today
- Check road status via Traffic Police helplines or official X (Twitter) handles before starting any long-distance journey.
- Travel in daytime on NH-44 wherever possible, and carry chains if heading towards higher reaches or side roads.
- Plan heating and power backups, as demand for electricity typically spikes during intense cold, increasing the risk of local outages.
FAQs (J&K Weather & Traffic)
A: No. Mughal Road is closed for all vehicular movement due to fresh snowfall and snow accumulation along Pir Ki Gali.
A: The Kishtwar–Sinthan–Anantnag road is closed because of snow accumulation at higher reaches near Sinthan Top, and will reopen only after clearance and a fresh advisory.
A: Yes. NH-44 is open in both directions, but traffic is slow at single-lane stretches in the Ramban sector, and travellers are advised to start early and follow traffic instructions.
A: Gulmarg was the coldest in the Valley with a minimum of -8.8°C, according to official MeT data.
Transparency & Ethics
Mandatory Disclaimer (Weather & Travel)
Weather and road conditions in Jammu & Kashmir, especially on NH-44, Mughal Road, Sinthan Top and other mountain passes, can change at short notice due to snowfall, avalanches, shooting stones or landslides. This article is for information only.
Travellers must:
- Reconfirm road status with J&K Traffic Police control rooms or official social media handles.
- Follow all on-ground directions from police, local administration and BRO/BEACON authorities.
