Drass

Drass (also spelled Dras) is a town in the Kargil district of the union territory of Ladakh, India. It lies in the Drass valley on the banks of the Indus River, along the Srinagar-Leh national highway NH 1D, near the Zoji La pass. Administratively, it is part of the Drass tehsil and sits at an elevation around 2,900–3,000 meters above sea level.

Drass has a cold, high-altitude climate. Winters are long and severely cold; the town is often cited as one of the coldest inhabited places on Earth. Summer temperatures are mild, and the days can be warm, but nights remain cool. The region receives relatively low precipitation, mostly in the form of snow.

The town is notable for its location near the Line of Control between India and Pakistan and for its role in the 1999 Kargil War. The nearby Drass War Memorial honors Indian soldiers who died in the conflict and serves as a site for remembrance and reflection.

Economy in Drass centers on agriculture, livestock herding, and small-scale trade. In summer, terraced fields yield crops such as barley, peas, and vegetables suitable for a short growing season. The area also attracts tourists and travelers using the Srinagar-Leh highway, particularly to visit the War Memorial and the surrounding landscape. The nearest airports are in Srinagar and Leh, providing air links to broader destinations.