Srinagar, February 2: Srinagar is currently experiencing a major cold wave, but the chilly weather is attracting a large number of tourists. Visitors are enjoying the winter ambiance at the iconic Dal Lake, bundling up in warm clothes to brave the cold snap.
Speaking to ANI, tourist Nand Kishore Saini from Faridabad said, “I am very happy to be here. The arrangements are good, the climate is pleasant, and it is cold as well. We were hoping to see the frozen Dal Lake, which hasn’t happened in the past 2–3 years. Though we didn’t get to see it this time, we had a great experience in Sonmarg with snowfall. Everything else is perfect; there’s no problem.”
Tourists were seen layering up in warm clothing to enjoy the winter sights. Saini added, “We need caps, scarves, and handkerchiefs for the children. It was a typical winter morning, but by evening, temperatures dropped significantly. We plan to visit Dal Lake in the evening and Gulmarg afterward. Everyone should come here; it truly feels like heaven. I hope to visit again soon.”
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), scattered to fairly widespread rainfall and snowfall with thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds reaching 30–40 kmph (gusting up to 50 kmph) is likely over Jammu-Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit-Baltistan, Muzaffarabad, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand during February 1–3.
Earlier in January, heavy snowfall in Kashmir stranded thousands of vehicles on the Jammu-Srinagar highway. Clearance operations were carried out amid the snow in Anantnag, which had temporarily halted traffic on the highway. (Agencies)
