Winter Wonderland: Srinagar Shivers at 0°C Amidst Festive Fervor

Jammu and Kashmir are experiencing a cold wave, with Srinagar's temperature plummeting to 0°C. While residents endure the chill, the Lal Draman Winter Festival in Doda attracted thousands, celebrating cultural vibrancy with breathtaking activities amidst extreme winter conditions, including the Chillai Kalan cold period.

Jammu and Kashmir continued to be in the grip of a cold wave, as Srinagar recorded a biting minimum temperature of 0 degrees Celsius on Friday morning. The Kashmir Valley towns faced harsh weather, according to reports.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that Srinagar experienced a wintry Friday, with minimum temperatures hitting zero and maximum temperatures reaching only 15 degrees Celsius. Despite this, serene scenes unfolded at Dal Lake, where locals and tourists alike enjoyed the winter season's charm.

Various towns, including Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and Kupwara, recorded sub-zero temperatures in the past day, as per the IMD. February 9 witnessed the vibrant 'Lal Draman Winter Festival-2025' in Doda, drawing thousands of attendees. Organized by the District Administration and Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department, the event showcased the region's cultural and natural splendor.

The festival enlivened Lal Draman's scenic meadow, captivating visitors with the beauty and cultural essence of the Lolab Valley, located in Kupwara district, amid inclement weather.

The celebration highlighted winter's fierce beauty, offering exhilarating activities to underscore the area's scenic allure and cultural richness, even as Chillai Kalan's severe weather annually blankets the region in snow and ice from December 21 to January 31.

This period is notorious for sub-zero temperatures, with frozen landscapes, making life challenging. Such conditions notably freeze significant water bodies, occasionally affecting parts of Srinagar's iconic Dal Lake. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)