Ladakh: Dras, a small town in Ladakh’s Kargil district, is widely known as India’s coldest inhabited place. The region has reported extreme winter temperatures, with unofficial readings in past years dipping below minus 60 degrees Celsius, making it colder than parts of Siberia during peak winter.
Situated at an altitude of over 10,000 feet, Dras experiences long, harsh winters. Its location in a narrow valley surrounded by high mountains allows cold air to settle, while clear skies and dry conditions accelerate heat loss at night. These factors combine to produce some of the lowest temperatures recorded in the country.
Even in regular winter seasons, temperatures in Dras frequently fall below minus 25 degrees Celsius. Heavy snowfall, frozen water bodies and limited daylight define daily life during these months. The region remains cut off for extended periods when weather conditions worsen.
Despite the extreme climate, Dras has gained attention among travellers and climate enthusiasts. The preferred time to visit is late spring to early autumn, when temperatures are comparatively moderate and road access is stable. The town is reachable by road from Srinagar or Leh via the Zoji La pass, which often closes during winter due to snow.
Dras’s extreme cold underscores India’s climatic diversity, where tropical heat in the plains contrasts sharply with severe sub-zero conditions in high-altitude Himalayan regions.