Question

Which one of the following places ranks second among the coldest places in the world?
A. Dras (Jammu and Kashmir)
B. Kullu (Himachal Pradesh)
C. Manali (Himachal Pradesh)
D. Itanagar (Arunachal Pradesh)

Answer 1

Hint: This place is a hill station in the Kargil District. The place has an elevation of about 3,300 metres (10,800 ft). It lies in the centre of a valley, having the namesake of the place.

Complete Answer: Dras is located on the NH1, between the Zoji La pass and Kargil town. The place is located 140 km away from Srinagar and 63 km from Sonmarg. Traditionally, Dras is known as Hem-babs which means ‘snow land’, with the word ‘Hem’, meaning snow. Therefore, this place is covered with snow almost throughout the year. It is the coldest place in India, experiencing an mediterranean
continental type of climate. In the winter season, the cold in Dras with an average temperature of -20℃ and the temperature can fall to -23℃. The season of winter extends from the mid-October to mid-May. Summer season starts from June and eastenders upto early September, with an average temperature of 23℃ and little precipitation. The coldest temperature in Dras was recorded as -60℃ that occurred during the month of January in 1995.
The correct answer is option A, Dras.

Note: The town of Dras is a huge tourist hub for its high altitude trekking routes and tourist sites. Dras is often known as ‘The Gateway to Ladakh’.