Believe it or not, this is no Siberia, but Kashmir.
The cold wave has taken entire India-controlled Kashmir in its grip and a steep drop in
mercury has accelerated icy winds over the past few days, said meteorological officials Tuesday.
According to Meteorological Department officials the Leh and Kargil districts continue to
be the coldest places in the region. On Tuesday, temperature in Leh was recorded at a high of
minus 0.4 and a low of minus 10.0 degree Celsius, while Kargil recorded a maximum of minus 3.0 and a minimum of minus 15.0 degree Celsius.
Srinagar, the summer capital recorded a maximum of 10.0 degree Celsius during the day
but the night temperature dropped and settled at minus 2.6 degree Celsius.
Monday marked the onset of harshest 40-day period of winter in the region, locally called
Chilla Kalan.
During this period from Dec. 21 to Jan. 31 the region mostly the valley remains under intense cold due to below-freezing night temperatures.
The intense cold spell blowing icy winds often result in freezing the lakes and river edges
for days together.
The residents have a tough time for the pipes carrying drinking water usually freeze in this period.
There have been years in the past when the entire Dal Lake in the Srinagar city froze to a
solid mass. However, the past few years have seen the spell devoid of any snowfall.
"We are praying for a heavy snowfall. It's vital for our economy. The snowfall around this
time will ensure irrigation to our agriculture and horticulture. Besides this the flow of water
during summers goes long way in hydroelectric generation," said Mir Tariq, a Srinagar resident.
Sonum Lotus, the director Meteorological department in Srinagar said cold wave conditions in valley may increase in the coming days for the present cloud system is not strong enough to unleash snow.
"The onset of winter this year has been early but we have not received any strong Western
Disturbance that could result in any heavy snowfall here," Lotus said.
Apart from India-controlled Kashmir, the north Indian states including Punjab and Haryana
are also experiencing severe cold.