As the Kashmir valley starts to experience sub zero nights, intense cold waves grips the water bodies as well, leading the Dal Lake to freeze in parts. It is fast becoming a mesmerising sight for many visitors from other states who have never experienced a frozen lake before.
An extreme cold wave froze the lake on December 20, much before the expected timeline in the valley. The people of Kashmir await this 40-day period of 'chillai kalan' as the snowfall during this event replenishes perennial water resources in the valley.
However locals say that they are facing a cold wave of such severity after ages, with night temperatures expected to drop below freezing point by several notches. Such glacial temperatures are a bit early in the season. With maximum temperature only reaching 6°C, Srinagar has already witnessed -6.6°C as of December 19. Earlier mercury at Pahalgam plunged to -9.5°C and -9.2°C at Gulmarg. Gateway to the valley, Qazigund measured -5.7°C. Temperatures are expected to drop lower.
Incidentally, the Dal is also equipped with its own ambulance now - in a shikhara, no less. It was started by a local in order to address pandemic-related emergencies.
