Minus 33 degrees freeze rivers in Drass-Kargil

Srinagar, Jan 8: The Soru river and other ponds in the Kargil district of Ladakh region was frozen as the minimum temperature dipped to minus 33 while the maximum was also minus 10 in Drass, the second coldest place in the world.

The frozen parts of the world famous Dal Lake in the summer capital, Srinagar, attracted a large number of locals besides tourists as the the minimum temperature remained several degree below normal. However, the day remained warm due to clear weather though icy cold winds were sweeping the entire region.

The Western Disturbances heading for Jammu and Kashmir from Pakistan went astray resutling in severe cold due to clear weather.

A UNI report from Kargil said that Soru river, originating from Panisar was frozen as the minimum temperature dipped to minus 22 in Kargil. The maximum was also minus three degree, it said.

The river water goes to Pakistan at Kargil.

The minus temperature had also affected the water outflow of Iqbal power project, official sources said adding the Power Development Department (PDD) has engaged daily labourers to break the melted portion of the dam. Later, the frozen water was being taken out from the dam in trucks, they said. However, it had not affected the power generation, they said.

The minimum temperature in Drass, the second coldest place in the world after Siberia, also dipped to minus 33 degree. The day also remained cold as the temperature was recorded at minus ten degree.

The authorities in Kargil and Drass have already stopped supply of tap water in both the places in November last year. However, people at Kargil are being provided water through a tanker while at Drass, they use spring water which is warm during the winter and cold in summer.

UNI

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