Sub-zero temperatures slow down life in Kashmir Valley

Falling sub-zero temperatures sweept the entire Kashmir Valley on Monday, further slowing down life, especially in Srinagar. With frost-hit vehicles and slippery roads, the city witnessed this winter’s coldest night at minus 6.1 degree Celsius, according to the Meteorological Department.

The movement of scores of office-goers was hampered as a layer of frost covered vehicles’ windows. Diesel cars came to a standstill due to icy conditions.

“It took me half-an-hour to start my car. All windows were covered with frost,” said Naseer Ahmad, an employee of a private bank.

Markets open late

Most government offices in Srinagar have advanced the time of moving in. The impact of the cold wave was also evident in markets, which opened later than usual.

Tourists travelling to hill stations like Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg, where the minimum temperature hovered between minus eight degree Celsius and minus 11 Celsius, saw their vehicles skidding owing to slippery conditions.

An Army spokesman said men and machinery were put into service on Monday after a group of tourists returning from Gulmarg were stuck near the Baba Rishi Y-junction. “A recovery team reached the site and swiftly recovered the stranded vehicle,” he added.

Unscheduled electricity cuts across the Valley multiplied the residents’ woes.

In Kargil

In Kargil, which recorded the State’s lowest temperature at minus 18.5 degree Celsius, piped water has frozen. “We boil ice to make our washrooms functional,” said Nazir Ahmad.

“In the next 48 hours, there will be a further dip in temperature because of open skies. This week is likely to be dry and may flip the cold wave,” said a Met official.