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The FROZEN beauty of Kashmir

Last updated on: January 14, 2012 22:27 IST

The world famous Dal Lake was completely frozen on Saturday when the night temperature dipped to minus 7.8 degrees Celsius in Srinagar.

The plummeting mercury intensified cold wave conditions in the Valley.

Reportage: Mukhtar Ahmad in Srinagar | Photographs: Umar Ganie

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The FROZEN beauty of Kashmir

Last updated on: January 14, 2012 22:27 IST

Earlier, the lake had frozen in parts with a thin layer of ice. Now, the lake is covered with a thick sheet of ice.
 
The temperature on Saturday rose for the first time above the freezing point after seven days, recording 0.7 degrees Celsius as the day's maximum temperature.

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The FROZEN beauty of Kashmir

Last updated on: January 14, 2012 22:27 IST

Markets and city streets barely registered any footfall as locals preferred to stay indoors due to the bone-chilling cold.

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The FROZEN beauty of Kashmir

Last updated on: January 14, 2012 22:27 IST

For the last one week, locals have been braving various difficulties due to the intense cold. The freezing temperature has turned the snow on the ground into icy rocks.

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The FROZEN beauty of Kashmir

Last updated on: January 14, 2012 22:27 IST

This has made pedestrian and vehicular movement difficult and led to a number of injuries and fractures owing to falls.
 
The Bone and Joint Hospital recorded over 200 fracture cases in the past one week. Doctors have been advising the elderly to stay indoors because of the risks involved.

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The FROZEN beauty of Kashmir

Last updated on: January 14, 2012 22:27 IST

After the initial woes due to power cuts, people are now facing a shortage in water supply.

Dipping night temperatures, which freeze water pipes and cause them to rupture, is causing the water shortage.

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The FROZEN beauty of Kashmir

Last updated on: January 14, 2012 22:27 IST

Though power supply was restored earlier this week, rural areas continue to face hours of load-shedding, adding to the winter woes of the people.

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The FROZEN beauty of Kashmir

Last updated on: January 14, 2012 22:27 IST

Authorities have advised people not to walk on or skate on the frozen lake.

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The FROZEN beauty of Kashmir

Last updated on: January 14, 2012 22:27 IST

According to the meteorological department, cold wave conditions have returned after a gap of 16 years to the Valley.

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The FROZEN beauty of Kashmir

Last updated on: January 14, 2012 22:27 IST

The intervening period had only made people complacent about the winters and this year's bitter cold has caught them unawares.

The meteorological department is predicting more snow and rains over the next two days.