The India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirms temperatures across the valley have nosedived dramatically. Srinagar recorded a bone-chilling minus 6.8 degrees Celsius, with Gulmarg plunging to minus 10 degrees and Drass, the cold desert, hitting minus 14 degrees. Reservoirs and smaller ponds froze overnight, creating hazardous conditions for livestock and wildlife.

Life grinds to a slowdown in the region. Schools remain shut, and traffic police battle black ice on highways. The Jammu and Kashmir administration has ramped up relief efforts, distributing coal, kerosene, and blankets to vulnerable families. ‘We’re prepared for Chillai-Kalan,’ assured a government spokesperson, referencing the intense 40-day winter phase.

This freeze isn’t just about cold; it’s reshaping the landscape. Fruit orchards stand dormant under frost, promising a delayed spring bloom. Tourists flock to witness the rare sight of frozen Dal Lake, boosting local handicraft sales. As sub-zero conditions persist, residents brace for the peak of winter’s fury, drawing on age-old survival tactics passed down generations.