Thousands visit freezing Dal Lake

Dal Lake, a star attraction for tourists in Srinagar during summer, is drawing thousands of people off-season for a different reason as parts of the waterbody has started freezing due to the intense cold. However, despite icy winds sweeping the city and other parts of the valley, the day temperature remained above normal owing to clear weather. The lake was first frozen completely in the early 60's when the minimum temperature dipped to minus 12 degrees Celsius. The then Prime Minister of the state, Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad drove a vehicle over the frozen surface of the waterbody. It was again frozen in 1986, attracting thousands of tourists beside locals from far flung areas as it transformed into a cricket ground for children. The night temperature in Srinagar dipped to minus 5.6 degrees Celsius last night, which was four degrees below normal, weather office said. However, the day's maximum temperature recorded yesterday was 9.1 degrees Celisus, four degree above normal, a spokesman for the met office said. Official reports said water taps in several parts of the city and elsewhere in the valley also got frozen due to the severe cold nights.

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