1. Kashmir’s water bodies transform as freezing temperatures grip the region.
2. Thin ice blankets Dal Lake amid picturesque surroundings.
3. Srinagar records bone-chilling night at minus 4.8 degrees Celsius.
Srinagar, Jan 02: Water bodies throughout the picturesque region of Kashmir are undergoing a dramatic transformation as freezing temperatures grip the area, causing a thin layer of ice to blanket the surface of the famous Dal Lake.
Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, experienced an exceptionally cold night with the mercury plummeting to a bone-chilling minus 4.8 degrees Celsius.
Residents living on the unique houseboats that dot Dal Lake found themselves confronted with the formidable task of breaking through the newly formed ice layer as they navigated their boats towards the banks.
The extreme cold wave has not only affected the lake but has also led to the freezing of water supply pipes in various areas across the Kashmir region.
Further south in the Anantnag district, Pahalgam, a vital base camp for the annual Amarnath Yatra pilgrimage, recorded a minimum temperature of minus 6.2 degrees Celsius, slightly lower than the previous night’s reading of minus 5.7 degrees Celsius.
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Meanwhile, the renowned Gulmarg skiing resort in north Kashmir reported a low of minus 4 degrees Celsius.
Other areas in the valley also experienced sub-zero temperatures, with Qazigund recording a low of minus 4.4 degrees Celsius, Kokernag town at minus 2.7 degrees Celsius, and Kupwara at minus 4.6 degrees Celsius.
The prolonged dry spell in Kashmir has intensified, with no precipitation expected over the next six days. Officials note that December witnessed a staggering 79% deficit in rainfall, contributing to the scarcity of snowfall in most low-lying areas of Kashmir and below-average snowfall in the upper reaches of the valley.
The absence of snowfall is exacerbating the cold conditions, causing the minimum temperature to drop further across various regions, including the capital city of Srinagar.
Kashmir is currently in the grip of ‘Chilla-i-Kalan,’ the 40 days known for its harsh winter conditions. This phase sees a significant drop in temperature, leading to the freezing of water bodies like Dal Lake and water supply lines in different parts of the valley.
The likelihood of snowfall is highest during this period, especially in the higher elevations. The ‘Chilla-i-Kalan’ is expected to conclude on January 31.
Despite the conclusion of ‘Chilla-i-Kalan,’ the cold spell is anticipated to persist, transitioning into a 20-day ‘Chilla-i-Khurd’ (small cold) and a subsequent 10-day ‘Chilla-i-Bachha’ (baby cold). As Kashmiris navigate this frigid winter, the challenges posed by freezing temperatures continue to impact daily life and local infrastructure.
