Sheet Of Ice Forms Over Kashmir's Dal Lake After Temperature Drops To -4.8 In Srinagar

Residents living in houseboats on the Dal Lake found it hard to navigate as a thin layer of ice formed over the lake.

The open skies have resulted in the minimum temperature sliding further in most parts, including Srinagar. ( Image Source :PTI )

As the conditions of the ‘Chilla-i-Kalan’ prevail in the Kashmir Valley, the minimum temperature remains below the freezing point, according to a PTI report. Officials have stated that a thin layer of ice has formed over the surface of the Dal Lake after the minimum temperature dipped to minus 4.8 on Monday night in Srinagar. 'Chillai Kalan' is the 40-day harsh winter in Kashmir. 

The ‘Chilla-i-Kalan’ is a 40-day long period when the winter weather conditions are the harshest. 

VIDEO | Dal Lake in Srinagar freezes as temperature continues to dip in Jammu and Kashmir. pic.twitter.com/H7hZJoYtsx

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 2, 2024

People living on houseboats on the lake faced difficulties navigating as they had to break through the ice to reach the shores.

Extreme cold has frozen water supply pipes in various parts of Kashmir, causing immense difficulty for residents. Pahalgam, situated in Anantnag district, known for the Amarnath Yatra, recorded temperatures of minus 6.2 degrees Celsius, while the Gulmarg skiing resort in north Kashmir registered minus 4 degrees Celsius.

Other areas like Qazigund, Kokernag, and Kupwara also experienced freezing temperatures ranging from minus 2.7 to minus 4.6 degrees Celsius. The region has seen scarce precipitation, with a significant 79 per cent rainfall deficit in December. This has resulted in minimal snowfall even in the higher reaches of Kashmir by the end of December.

#WATCH | A thin sheet of ice forms on the upper layer of Dal Lake as J&K's Srinagar recorded minus 4.8 degrees Celsius last night. pic.twitter.com/NdAcuvUCTv

— ANI (@ANI) January 2, 2024

The open skies have resulted in the minimum temperature sliding further in most parts, including Srinagar, the officials said, as per PTI

The 'Chillai Kalan' has a firm hold on Kashmir at present. During this time, a cold wave tightly embraces the region, causing a significant drop in temperatures. This extreme cold leads to the freezing of water bodies such as Dal Lake and even impacts water supply lines across various parts of the valley.

This intense cold period is slated to last until January 31. However, the cold conditions will continue after that with a 20-day-long 'Chillai Khurd' (small cold) and a 10-day-long 'Chillai Bachha' (baby cold).