Parts of Srinagar's Dal Lake freeze as cold wave grips Kashmir

Srinagar, Dec 23: The surface of the Dal Lake on Monday froze as an intense cold wave gripped the Kashmir valley, with Srinagar recording the minimum temperature of minus 3.7 degree Celsius.

The maximum temperature recorded was 7 degrees Celsius, as per the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD).

Visuals showed people sitting around bonfires and wearing warm clothes to protect themselves from the harsh winters.

"The weather has become very cold… our hands have started freezing and the Dal lake has frozen... " said a local resident while speaking to ANI.

The IMD has predicted a severe cold wave in Jammu and Kashmir December 24 onwards.

Earlier on December 22, the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had cancelled his scheduled programmes in Jammu to oversee the working of the power and other departments amid the severe cold spell in the state.

"In light of the severe cold spell in the Kashmir valley & the resultant difficulties with water & electricity supply, I have decided to cancel my forthcoming programmes in Jammu & station myself in Srinagar for the next week to personally monitor the functioning of the Power department & other important departments," Abdullah posted on X while travelling to Srinagar from Rajasthan's Jaisalmer.

He assured that he would make up to the people and organisations whose programmes have been affected after he cancelled his visit to Jammu.