Entire Kashmir Valley is reeling under intense cold wave as plummeting temperatures have frozen parts of several water bodies and left majority of residents to face plethora of hardships. Most people chose to stay indoors as the cold wave triggered several ailments mostly targeting children and old age people.
The cold wave is more intense in Ladakh region where lowest temperature in Leh district touched minus 17 degrees Tuesday night, meteorological department officials said.
The normal life is affected in most parts of Kashmir due to the intense cold wave that has hampered water and electricity supply. Despite heavy load shedding, the power supply schedule has gone awry as most residents complain that they have not received charge for long hours.
The cold wave has frozen water supply pipes in many areas leaving the residents to go for alternate means to fetch water for domestic use.
The summer capital Srinagar recorded coldest night in 11 years on Monday with temperature slipping to minus 6.8 degrees Celsius. Parts of famed Dal Lake were frozen especially in the interiors. The famous resort of Pahalgam in south Kashmir recorded 7.9 degrees Celsius below freezing point.
The cold wave has equally hit the north Kashmir regions where Kupwara district headquarters recorded 6.4 degrees Celsius.
Gulmarg, the famed ski resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district has witnessed a trickle of tourists on eve of Christmas and New Year. The officials said that Gulmarg recorded temperature of minus 9.4 degrees Celsius. With a thin layer of snow enveloping the famous resort, the cold wave has added to the charm of the place. The tourists are awaiting snowfall on eve of New Year to make their trip memorable, a hotelier from Gulmarg said on phone.
The cold wave began in the Valley last week coinciding with the onset of Chillai-Kalan - the 40-day period of harsh winter. It begins on December 21 and lasts till the end of January. The authorities have closed all educational institutions for winter vacations.