Shopian under an icy spell

Shopian, Dec 6: A severe cold wave has tightened its grip over south Kashmir’s Shopian district, with temperatures plummeting to minus 6.4°C — one of the harshest nights of the season so far. The piercing chill forced people off the streets early, delayed morning activity and left marketplaces unusually subdued.

“I have not seen such cold in recent years,” said Ghulam Mohammad, a shopkeeper who shut his store early and headed home wrapped in layers of wool.

The sharp dip in temperature followed clear skies and calm winds, conditions that often lead to intense overnight cooling. Higher-altitude habitations along the Mughal Road reported even colder conditions, keeping residents confined indoors for most of the day.

For many low-income and nomadic Gujjar families, winter has become a daily struggle. With limited resources and rising electricity costs, households continue to rely on kangris and firewood as their primary source of heat.

“We cannot afford electric heaters, so we depend on firewood to stay warm,” said Mohammad Yousuf of Devpora, who lives with his wife and three children in a mud house. “Everyone sleeps in one room, but the cold still bites through the night.”

The freezing temperatures have fuelled a spike in demand for warm essentials. Traders in Shopian reported brisk sales of woollen blankets, heavy quilts, room heaters and hot-water bottles, while second-hand blanket vendors also drew crowds seeking cheaper alternatives.

“We haven’t seen such a rush in recent winters. People are buying whatever they can,” said a shopkeeper at the main market.

Imtiyaz Ahmad, standing in the queue for winter supplies, said keeping warm had become increasingly difficult. “Many families have already moved to Jammu to escape this cold,” he added.

With several weeks of winter still ahead, residents fear the cold will tighten further, deepening challenges for households with limited means.