Kashmir's Dal Lake Freezes as Valley Plunges into Sub-Zero Cold
Image Source: Internet
Kashmir's famous Dal Lake has become a frozen landscape, along with several other water bodies, as the Valley grapples with severe sub-zero temperatures. The region is currently in the midst of 'Chilla-i-Kalan', a 40-day period of extreme cold characterized by high chances of snowfall. This period began on December 21 and will conclude on January 30. According to weather department officials, Srinagar recorded a low of minus 5.2 degrees Celsius on Tuesday night, marking a slight drop from the previous night's minus 4.9 degrees Celsius. Shopian in south Kashmir emerged as the coldest place in the Valley, with a mercury reading of minus 7.5 degrees Celsius. Parts of the Dal Lake, a major tourist attraction, have frozen due to the extreme cold. Other areas like Pahalgam, a popular ski resort, recorded a low of minus 6 degrees Celsius, while Gulmarg in north Kashmir's Baramulla district experienced a temperature of minus 3.8 degrees Celsius. Sonamarg in central Kashmir recorded a low of minus 2.2 degrees Celsius. The India Meteorological Department has forecast a western disturbance approaching Kashmir, which is likely to impact the region's weather from January 16. Residents are advised to stay indoors and take necessary precautions to combat the extreme cold.
