Srinagar residents throng water bodies to beat scorching heat

Srinagar, May 26: Amid the heat wave, many people in the summer capital are seeking relief in the city's water bodies and mountains.

Srinagar witnessed its hottest May day on Thursday after 11 years, at 32.2 degrees Celsius. Residents from both the city and its outskirts were seen flocking to water bodies around Srinagar to cool down. The locals said that on the weekend, popular spots like Harwan, Dara, Dachigam, and Dal Lake saw a significant influx of locals, especially young people looking to beat the heat.

Adil Bhat, a local from Harwan, said he has been visiting Dara area frequently over the past week to escape the intense heat.

"At the start of May, we did not feel the need to go for cold baths at Dara Harwan, which we usually visit during June-July. This May has been extremely hot, so taking a bath here is our only respite. My friends and I often go to Dara Harwan, which is a well-known swimming spot," Bhat said.

The iconic Dal Lake remains another favorite spot for young swimmers. “This has been our favorite spot since childhood. It is good to take a dip here and enjoy the water amid the heat. Unlike other spots, Dal Lake requires proper swimming skills so that there won't be any untoward incident,” said Shahid Ahmad, a local from Ishber Nishat.

Many locals also are taking advantage of the numerous natural springs around Srinagar. These springs, found in various parts of Kashmir, have become a good option for beating the heat. “Earlier, people used to queue to take a bath in the springs in our area. I remember in my young days, this place used to be a go-to spot in summer; although the rush is not the same, some people still visit here,” said Abul Hameed, a local from Hazratbal outskirts.

As some people in Srinagar are finding waterbodies as an option to beat the heat, others are enjoying short camping trips to the nearby Srinagar mountains. Places like Mamneth, Astan-Marg, Faqir Gujri, and Badi-Marg are some of the places that people are choosing as their recreational spots amid the heat.

“On weekends, there is nothing better than spending the night with friends at places like Mamneth, which is a few hours trek from Harwan. I have the weekend off in my office, and I visited the place on Saturday. This is a good option for cooler weather and also best for health,” said Mudasir Ahmed, an office goer.