Arjumand Shah
Srinagar, Jan 01 (KINS): The freezing temperatures gripping Kashmir have transformed parts of Dal Lake into a sheet of ice, disrupting the livelihoods of thousands of locals dependent on the lake for their daily sustenance.
As temperatures plummet during the ongoing Chillai-Kalan—the harshest 40-day winter period spanning December 21 to January 31—a section of the iconic Dal Lake has frozen, creating both a picturesque spectacle for tourists and immense challenges for the local population.
Mohammad Sultan, a shikara owner, has been forced to stay home for over five days. “The ice is more than an inch thick. It’s impossible to row the shikara. Many tourists are disappointed, and so are we,” he told news agency KINS. He is just one among over 40,000 individuals, including houseboat owners, vegetable growers, traders, and fisherfolk, whose livelihoods depend on the lake.
Tourism, agriculture, and fishing—the economic backbone of this community—have been severely impacted. For many, a frozen lake means not just lost earnings but added struggles to carry out basic daily tasks.
Shabir Ahmad, a Kashmiri handicraft dealer, recounted his ordeal of navigating the frozen lake: “It took me more than 90 minutes to break through the ice to reach the market—a journey that usually
takes just 15 minutes.”
Vegetable vendors, who operate at the floating market early in the mornings, are among the hardest hit. “More than 300 sellers used to gather here daily, but now only a handful manage to break through the ice,” said a vegetable grower. He said that many vendors have resorted to selling their produce, including tomatoes, carrots, turnips, and nadru (lotus stems), from their homes at reduced prices.
The reduced tourist activity during the freeze has further strained the community, leaving many wondering how long they can endure these harsh conditions. (KINS)
Dal Lake Freezes, livelihoods impacted amid harsh winter
