Kashmir is gripping its teeth through a biting dry cold wave, witnessing the partial freezing of its beloved lakes, streams, and rivers. Dal, Nigeen, Wullar, and the like, previously vibrant expanses, now wear coats of ice. Alarmingly, water levels in these bodies have dwindled to dangerous lows, fueled by the season’s scant snowfall confined primarily to the mountains.
Adding to the woes, demands for drinkable water are rising even in areas usually well-served by the Jal Shakti department’s water supply schemes. The cold spell shows no signs of immediate relief, with the weather office predicting cloudy skies from January 4th to 6th, but with little hope for rain or snowfall in the plains.
Thermometers paint a stark picture of the icy grip. Srinagar shivered at a bone-chilling minus 4.8 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, while Gulmarg and Pahalgam plunged further, recording minus 3.8 and minus 6.6 degrees respectively. Ladakh region fared no better, with Leh clocking minus 15.2, Kargil at minus 12.4, and Drass enduring a bone-numbing minus 14. Jammu city, in contrast, experienced a balmy 7 degrees Celsius, a stark reminder of the regional temperature disparities.
