Cold wave persists in Kashmir; tourists enjoy Dal Lake shikara rides

A milky veil of fog rolled over Srinagar on Tuesday, muting the skyline and sharpening the bite of winter across the Kashmir Valley. Despite the chill and reduced visibility, the city’s emblematic Dal Lake remained lively, as shikara operators ferried bundled-up visitors through corridors of mist and mirror-still water.

Dal Lake’s winter allure

Shimmering reeds, silent houseboats, and faint snow lines on surrounding hills created a cinematic backdrop for early-morning rides. Many visitors chose mid-morning trips for clearer views, while boatmen handed out blankets and advised layered clothing. On the coldest mornings, thin rims of ice sometimes fringe the shoreline, adding to the lake’s ethereal appeal and reminding visitors how precarious and beautiful Himalayan winters can be.

Temperatures slip, fog thickens

On January 5, Srinagar recorded a daytime high of 9.7°C—about two degrees above the seasonal average—while the night temperature dipped to -4.0°C, roughly 2.1 degrees below normal. The stark contrast between day and night, combined with high humidity and calm winds, has been a perfect recipe for fog formation and persistent chill.

Himalayan outlook: snow and frost in patches

Forecasts indicate isolated light to moderate rain or snow over Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit-Baltistan, Muzaffarabad, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. Ground frost is likely to develop in some pockets of Uttarakhand, potentially affecting vegetable seedlings and early-flowering horticultural crops.

South India: thunder, lightning, and heavier spells mid-week

Further south, Tamil Nadu is expected to see light to moderate showers with occasional thunderstorms and lightning on January 8 and 9. Heavier downpours could occur at isolated locations across Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and the Mahe region on January 9 and 10. Urban low-lying pockets may experience brief waterlogging during intense bursts of rain.

Temperature trend across India

• Northwest India: Minimum temperatures are likely to fall by 2–3°C over the next four days, followed by a period of little change.
• Central and East India: A similar 2–3°C slide is expected over the next two days, then temperatures should steady for several days.
• Elsewhere: No major shifts in minimum temperatures are anticipated.

Cold wave, cold-day conditions and fog alerts

Cold wave conditions may grip isolated pockets of Chhattisgarh, East Rajasthan, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi, Jharkhand, and Punjab. Cold-day conditions—where daytime temperatures remain unusually low—could develop in patches across Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, West Bengal, and Sikkim.

Fog remains a key hazard. Dense fog is possible at isolated places over Assam and Meghalaya, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura, Odisha, Rajasthan, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim, Uttarakhand, and western Uttar Pradesh. In parts of East Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, and Punjab, the fog could at times be very dense, severely limiting visibility for road, rail, and air travel.

At sea: squally winds

Mariners should expect squally conditions with winds around 35–45 km/h, gusting to 55 km/h, along and off the Sri Lanka coast, over much of the southwest Bay of Bengal and nearby waters, many parts of the southeast Bay of Bengal, the Gulf of Mannar, and the Comorin area. Stronger winds—45–55 km/h, gusting to 65 km/h—are likely along and off the Somalia coast and adjacent seas.

Climate and ecology: winter’s mixed signals

Cold spells and fog episodes are a hallmark of the subcontinent’s winter, yet their intensity and timing influence everything from energy demand to farm schedules. Prolonged fog can trap pollutants near the surface, straining urban air quality, while frost can damage tender crops and saplings. On Dal Lake, extended cold can slow biological activity and curb algal growth, briefly enhancing water clarity. Migratory waterfowl often exploit these quieter, calmer conditions, though human disturbance should remain minimal to protect roosting and feeding sites.

Travel tips for the Valley

• Dress in layers and carry windproof outerwear; temperatures can swing sharply between morning and afternoon.
• Plan shikara rides for late morning if you prefer better visibility, or dawn for the most atmospheric mist.
• Check local weather and fog advisories before setting out; delays are possible on key highways and at the airport.
• Use eco-friendly practices on and around the lake—avoid single-use plastics and follow boat operators’ guidance to protect the fragile aquatic ecosystem.

As the cold wave persists, the Valley’s winter tableau is both demanding and rewarding—demanding in its chill and travel disruptions, and rewarding in the quiet beauty that settles over Dal Lake when the world narrows to water, wood, and soft white fog.