Srinagar witnessed an unprecedented cold wave as temperatures plummeted several degrees below freezing point across Jammu and Kashmir. The iconic Dal Lake, a shimmering jewel in the heart of the valley, has turned into a vast ice sheet, captivating locals and tourists alike. Water bodies throughout the region froze solid, painting a winter wonderland amid biting chills.
Meteorologists report this as one of the harshest cold spells in recent decades. Night temperatures in Srinagar dipped to minus 7 degrees Celsius, while higher reaches like Sonamarg and Pahalgam saw mercury levels crash to minus 12 degrees. The prolonged freeze has disrupted daily life, with residents relying on ‘kanger’ traditional heaters and huddling indoors.
Authorities have issued advisories urging caution on icy roads and potential avalanches in vulnerable areas. Power supply remains erratic due to frozen lines, exacerbating the hardship. Yet, this extreme weather ushers in the famous ‘Chillai-Kalan’ – the 40-day peak winter period that defines Kashmiri winters.
Local shikara owners on Dal Lake view the freeze with mixed feelings. While boating halts, the frozen lake attracts ice skaters and photographers. ‘It’s nature’s spectacle,’ said one fisherman, drilling through ice for frozen fish. As the cold intensifies, experts predict even lower temperatures ahead, testing the resilience of the region’s people.