Despite Jammu and Kashmir freezing at minus 7.6 degrees Celcius, the coldest it has been in 28 years, thousands of tourists are flocking the state to celebrate the New Year.
The hoteliers at famous skiing destination Gulmarg are also happy as they are sold out and the tourism department has planned a series of events centred around New Year.
The Gondola rides overseeing snow-draped Gulmarg valley and snow festivals are among the activities that await tourists and locals looking for some winter adventure.
Over 8 lakh tourists have already visited the valley and the footfall is likely to improve next year, Advisor to Governor Khurshid Ganai said.
Srinagar is freezing at minus 7 .6 degrees Celcius, the coldest in 28 years, according to the Meteorological Department. The previous low was recorded at minus 8.8 degrees Celcius in December 1990.
The tourist resorts of Pahalgam and Gulmarg recorded temperatures of minus 8.3 and minus 9 degrees Celcius, respectively.
As the temperatures are plummeting, the taps and water motors have frozen in Srinagar and the other districts. The world's second coldest region, Drass, has recorded a minimum temperature of minus 20 degrees Celcius.
The various water bodies in and around Srinagar have also frozen partially. The sight of a frozen world famous Dal Lake has attracted many eyeballs. The Dal dwellers, Shikarawalas, have taken it upon themselves to break the ice on Dal Lake.
Watch the video of a Shikarawala breaking ice on frozen Dal Lake here.
Srinagar coldest in 28 years at minus 8. Dal Lake frozen. pic.twitter.com/4XysICoGvQ
— Kashyap Kadagattur (@iamkash_kr) December 27, 2018
