New Year enthusiasts flocking towards ‘Freezing Kashmir’

Undeterred by the intense cold wave sweeping through the valley, scores of adventure sport lovers and new-year enthusiasts have been rushing to Kashmir, as minimum temperatures across Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh remained below the freezing point on Friday.

Among these New Year enthusiasts are also honeymoon couples who are thronging the famous ski resort of Gulmarg, with the minimum temperature dipping to minus 5.6 degrees Celsius.

Hotels, huts and other accommodations are all sold out at the ski resort, as authorities are engaged in ensuring comfort for the arriving tourists.

The weather office has not forecast any significant snowfall till the end of December, but the ski resort is already covered with a thick blanket of snow.

In Pahalgam hill station too, the tourist arrivals have enlivened the otherwise sleepy meadow.

The minimum temperature in Pahalgam was minus 5.9 on Friday, while Srinagar recorded a minus 4.3. Leh town of Ladakh was at minus 12.6, Kargil minus 16.4, and Drass minus 25.3 as the night’s lowest temperatures.

Further, Jammu city recorded 6.3, Katra 6.2, Batote 1.7, Bannihal minus 0.2 and Bhaderwah minus 0.8 as the day’s minimum temperatures.

Meanwhile, the 40-day long harsh winter period of ‘Chillai Kalan’ is currently passing through the valley and Ladakh. Locals actually look forward to a good snowfall during this period, as it replenishes the water reservoirs up in the mountains to ensure steady flow in rivers, streams, springs and lakes during the summer months.

For celebrating NEW YEAR in Kashmir, can visit www.KashmirTravels.in OR Call at 97960 24 365