The coldest night of the season in Srinagar in 16 years at minus 7.8 degrees Celsius has frozen the Dal Lake, forcing the government to issue an advisory against walking or playing on the frozen lake. On Friday night,the minimum temperature in Srinagar was recorded at 7.8 degrees Celsius. This is the lowest-ever for the last 16 years, said Sonam Lotus,Director,Meteorology. In 1995,the lowest recorded temperature for the season in Srinagar was minus 8.2 degrees. On Saturday morning,children were seen playing on the frozen lake despite an advisory from the government. Vice-Chairman of Lakes and Waterways Development Authority Irfan Yaseen has issued an advisory to the general public not to walk or skate on frozen water surfaces in the lakes,ponds or rivers,as the thin ice may break and result in drowning, an official spokesman said. Volunteers of Civil Defence along with police personnel visited various areas,including Dal Lake,to enforce the advisory. In many areas,the volunteers had to forcibly evict children from frozen water bodies. The night temperatures in the ski resort of Gulmarg was recorded at minus 15.2 degrees Celsius last night. In south Kashmir,the lowest temperature was recorded at minus 13.6 degrees Celsius at Qazigund while at the Pahalgam tourist destination,it was recorded at minus 12.2 degrees Celsius.
