Srinagar Reels Under Cold Wave As Temperature Drops To Zero

Srinagar continues to reel under a biting cold wave as temperatures hover around the freezing mark, forcing residents to adapt to the harsh winter conditions. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that the minimum temperature in the city stood at 0.4°C, while the maximum is expected to reach 12.6°C. This marks yet another day of intense chill in the Kashmir Valley, where sub-zero temperatures were recorded earlier on December 5.

With December now underway, forecasts suggest that the mercury will dip further in the coming weeks, intensifying the winter spell not only across Kashmir but also extending its impact to Delhi and other northern regions.

Despite the freezing conditions, life in Srinagar has not come to a standstill. Visuals from the city show fog-covered streets where locals continue their daily routines. Many residents were seen layering up in woolens and jackets, while some braved the cold to maintain their morning fitness schedules. Firewood remains a crucial source of warmth, with families gathering around small fires to fend off the chill. The resilience of the people is evident as they balance the discomfort of the cold with the rhythm of everyday life.

However, the cold wave has coincided with a series of fire incidents that have tested the preparedness of emergency services. On Sunday, a fire broke out in several shops and a furniture godown in the Munwarabad area of Srinagar. Fire and emergency teams responded swiftly, preventing the blaze from spreading further. The incident highlighted the vulnerability of structures during winter, when electrical short circuits and heating arrangements often increase the risk of fire.

This was not the first such incident in recent weeks. On November 6, troops from the Shakti Vijay Brigade of the Indian Army played a crucial role in containing a major fire in Bukhaiya village, Tangdhar. The blaze, triggered by an electrical short circuit, spread rapidly and threatened nearby houses. Thanks to the vigilance of army personnel and the civil administration, the flames were brought under control before they could cause widespread devastation. An official statement praised the coordinated effort, noting that a potential catastrophe had been averted.

Earlier still, on October 29, the Jammu and Kashmir Fire and Emergency Department in Udhampur successfully prevented a dangerous situation along the busy Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. A massive stack of stubble, used as cattle fodder, caught fire in the Tharad area. Assistant Director Sarvesh Langer explained that fire tenders from Udhampur were quickly mobilized to the site. Their timely intervention ensured that the blaze did not engulf the fodder completely or spread to passing vehicles, which could have triggered panic and accidents on the highway.

With inputs from ANI