Srinagar, December 23:
The bone-chilling cold in the Kashmir valley has led to a layer of ice forming on the Dal Lake. This has increased the trouble for Shikara and houseboat operators. These people are also worried about their livelihood. As the temperature drops with the progress of Chilla Kalan, this problem will become more severe.
However, tourists are arriving to enjoy the ice on the lake. Tourist Reema Sharma said, this view is amazing. There is a layer of ice on the lake, which is making the winter season even more beautiful.
A large part of the tourism industry on the lake is related to Shikaras and houseboats, but now due to the freezing of water, it has become difficult for them to operate the boats. Shikara driver Abdul Razak said, this is a very difficult time for us. We have to remove layers of ice to take out the Shikara. Houseboat owner Manzoor Ahmed says that the freezing of the lake has affected his business. We live in the houseboats only. With the increase in cold, the water pipelines in the houseboats have frozen. This time is very good for tourists, but it is full of troubles for us.
