The Kashmir Valley woke up to a frigid start to the New Year as temperatures plummeted several degrees below freezing in multiple areas, significantly impacting daily life and local infrastructure on Monday.
According to weather officials, the mercury dipped to a bone-chilling minus 5.2 degrees Celsius in the summer capital of Srinagar, exacerbating the extreme cold gripping the region. The freezing temperatures have presented challenges for residents, affecting routine activities amid the biting cold.
“The temperature in Jammu and Kashmir was minus 5.4 at night. Wherever we pour water it freezes. People are coming in large numbers to enjoy the weather. Yesterday, there was a big celebration in front of Lal Chowk. We pray that if there is snowfall then the cold will subside a little because our children and elders have fallen ill,” expressed a local resident to ANI, highlighting the struggles faced due to the harsh weather conditions.
The iconic Dal Lake and other water bodies, typically bustling with tourists and locals for rides and scenic views, have frozen over due to the plummeting temperatures. Additionally, fog has severely hampered visibility on the roads during the mornings, further complicating travel and daily commutes.
Despite the challenges posed by the freezing weather, tourists have expressed delight in experiencing the wintry conditions. “We reached here only last night. In the morning we see that a thin layer of snow has accumulated. The way the weather is, we think we will enjoy it a lot,” shared a tourist from Jaipur, reflecting the enthusiasm among visitors despite the frosty climate.
The India Meteorological Department has forecasted a continuation of the icy weather pattern throughout the week in the Union Territory. It predicts the minimum temperature to fluctuate between minus 1 and 8 degrees Celsius, indicating a persistently cold spell in the region.
As Kashmir grapples with the intense cold wave, locals and tourists alike brace themselves for the challenging weather conditions expected to persist in the coming days.
Sources By Agencies
