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Tourists Brave Freezing Dal Lake Amid Kashmir Cold Wave

A severe cold wave continues in Jammu and Kashmir, with Srinagar recording a minimum temperature of minus 4 degrees Celsius. Despite the freezing conditions, tourists are braving the chill to enjoy boat rides on the misty Dal Lake. The cold has impacted several towns across the Valley, though tourist footfall remains steady. Meanwhile, Delhi's air quality remains in the 'very poor' category, leading to the reimposition of GRAP Stage 3 measures.

Key Points: Kashmir Cold Wave: Tourists Enjoy Dal Lake Boat Rides

  • Cold wave grips J&K with sub-zero temps
  • Tourists enjoy Dal Lake despite chill
  • IMD reports Srinagar at -4°C
  • Delhi air quality remains 'very poor'
2 min read

J-K: Tourists brave chilly morning at Dal Lake amid cold wave

Despite sub-zero temperatures in Jammu & Kashmir, tourists flock to Dal Lake. See how the cold wave impacts the Valley and Delhi's air quality.

"The weather is quite chilly here... it was quite a pleasant experience. - Sandeep"

Srinagar, January 17

A cold wave continued to grip Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday, with temperatures dipping below freezing across several parts of the Valley. Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of minus 4 degrees Celsius, according to the India Meteorological Department.

Despite the freezing conditions, tourists were seen enjoying a boat ride on Dal Lake, wrapped in warm layers to protect themselves from the biting cold. The scenic waterbody, partially shrouded in mist, offered visitors a serene experience of Kashmir's winter landscape.

Sandeep, a tourist, shared his experience with ANI, saying, "The weather is quite chilly here, as the morning was extremely cold. We went out around Dal Lake at night, and it was quite a pleasant experience. We will now go for a boat ride as well."

The cold wave has impacted several towns across the region, with temperatures remaining below normal. According to IMD data, Gulmarg recorded a high of 3°C and a low of -4°C, while Pahalgam witnessed 10°C and -3°C. Jammu city recorded a maximum of 16°C and a minimum of 5°C, Kathua 21°C and 9°C, and Katra 16°C and 7°C.

Other areas, including Banihal and Bhaderwah, recorded 15°C and 1°C, while Batote saw a high of 15°C and a low of 6°C.

The cold wave conditions have persisted across the Valley over the past few days. Tourist footfall, however, has remained steady, with visitors keen to explore snow-covered landscapes and winter destinations popular in Kashmir during this season.

Meanwhile, the national capital continued to face severe air pollution, with Delhi's air quality remaining in the 'very poor' category on Saturday. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 368, slightly higher than Friday's 354. Stage 3 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) was reimposed as a precautionary measure to tackle further deterioration of air quality in the city.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Minus 4 degrees! That's insane. I can't even handle Delhi's 10-degree winter. Hats off to the tourists braving that chill for the experience. Meanwhile, here in Delhi we're just breathing toxic air with an AQI of 368. Sometimes I wonder which is worse.
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Aman W
Visited Gulmarg last January. The cold is next level but absolutely worth it. The key is proper layering - thermals, woolens, and a good jacket. Glad to see tourists are still going. It's a major source of livelihood for so many families in the Valley, especially in the off-season.
S
Sarah B
The contrast in this article is striking. One part of the country is a frozen wonderland attracting visitors, and the capital is choking on pollution. It highlights India's incredible geographical diversity and also its stark environmental challenges.
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Karthik V
While I'm happy tourism is doing well, I do hope the authorities are ensuring the safety and well-being of these tourists. Medical facilities, road conditions, and emergency services need to be top-notch in such extreme weather. One small accident in that cold can become serious very quickly.
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Nisha Z
Nothing like a cup of kahwa by Dal Lake on a cold morning! 🍵 The article brings back such fond memories. The resilience of the people there, going about their daily lives and welcoming guests in such temperatures, is truly admirable. J&K's beauty is year-round.

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