Normalcy hampered as severe cold grips Valley

Kashmir is reeling under a severe cold wave which is getting worst with each day affecting life across the freezing Valley, reports Mukhtar Ahmad in Srinagar.

With the minimum temperature dropping to minus 6.6 degrees Celsius, the people are having difficult time in beating the cold back and keep themselves warm and going.

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The cold wave has been made worst by the continued dry spell creating health problem for the locals.

The incidence of respiratory of infections has seen a surge since the beginning of the month with doctors saying that the dry spell will create more winter related health problems.

The weatherman doesn't hold out a promise of any let up in the cold weather conditions making the winter more somber.

The world famous Dal Lake, the main tourist attraction in capital Srinagar, has also begun exhibiting impact of the severity of cold with the freezing of the major portions of its surface.

The phenomenon is repeating itself after some years indicating the severity of the weather.

The harshness of the weather is compounded by the man-made factors like shortage of electricity which generally snapped at the peak hours making people fend for light during evenings and nights.

The demand for kerosene lamps and wax candles has seen a sharp rise as these provide alternatives to the electric power which is undergoing frequent scheduled and unscheduled cuts.

The core winter season of 'Chillai Kalan' which according to local tradition lasts for 40 days has set in on December 21 and shall last till January end.

Movement during the early morning and evening hours is hampered by the fog and the cold and the day time activities have been shortened to few hours.

The schools which the government ordered to remain open this winter for the first time are facing the peculiar problem of the keeping the class room warm.

The state high court has also intervened through a public interest litigation in the matter and ordered proper heating arrangements for the students.

The attendance is falling with each passing day forcing the government to have a review of its decision.