SRINAGAR: Kashmir is grappling with an intense cold spell as temperatures plunge below freezing, leading to icy conditions across the region. Several water bodies, including the iconic Dal Lake, froze on Tuesday due to the severe cold. The drop in temperature also caused water supply issues, with pipes and taps freezing overnight.
South Kashmir experienced the harshest temperatures, with Shopian recording a low of minus 8.8°C. Anantnag and Pulwama both recorded minus 8.3°C, while Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, saw temperatures of minus 6.6°C.
The Meteorological Centre (MeT) in Srinagar has issued an advisory predicting that the cold wave will persist until December 26. The department cautioned tourists to follow local advisories due to sub-freezing temperatures and icy road conditions, especially in higher reaches of the region.
Other areas in Kashmir also recorded freezing temperatures, including Qazigund (-6.2°C), Pahalgam (-7.8°C), Kupwara (-6.4°C), Kokernag (-6.4°C), Gulmarg (-7.4°C), and Sonamarg (-8.5°C).
The region is currently in the midst of Chillai Kalan, the harshest 40-day period of winter, which, coupled with the dry spell, has contributed to a rise in respiratory infections. The weather department has forecasted dry weather until December 26.
