Bone-chilling cold halts life, business in Shopian, Pulwama

Shiopian, Dec 24: South Kashmir’s Shopian and Pulwama districts continue to reel under an intense cold wave, multiplying the hardships of people.

On Wednesday night, apple-rich Shopian district clocked a minimum temperature of minus 8.8 degrees Celsius while Pulwama froze at minus 8.5 degrees Celsius.

The frigid temperatures significantly impacted the movement of people with most of the residents choosing to stay indoors.

“I have seen such a bone-chilling winter after many years,” said Tariq Ahmad of Pulwama’s Dangerpora area.

He said that the night temperatures were dipping to a record low.

On January 19, 2024, the district recorded a minimum temperature of minus 6.2 degrees, making it the coldest place in south Kashmir.

The cold wave led to the freezing of water bodies and tanks, affecting the water supply severely.

Executive Engineer Jal Shakti Department, Shopian, Abdul Rashid told Greater Kashmir that around 25 to 30 percent of the water supply had been disrupted due to the intense cold conditions.

“The disruptions are more in the Kellar area,” the official said.

He said that the protracted dry spell had already led to low discharge in water resources.

In the absence of seamless electricity, the residents in many outlying villages are facing immense hardships, forcing them to rely on the conventional means of lightning and heating.

“We are facing protracted and unannounced power outages,” said Parvaiz Ahamd, a student, hailing from Pulwama's Awantpiora area.

Many residents from Handew, Manihal, and Chotipora villages of Shopian complained of erratic power supply.

“We are compelled to use candles and Kangris in the absence of an uninterrupted power supply,” said Bilal Ahmad of Manihal village.

The severe cold conditions have also impacted the businesses in both districts.

According to the traders, business activity has declined by 40 to 45 percent due to the ongoing cold wave.

“The bone-chilling temperatures have significantly shortened the business hours,” said Tariq Ahmad, a shopkeeper from Batapora, Shopian.

He said that a number of people also moved to warmer places like Jammu.

“This is another key reason for the decline in business,” Ahmad said.