Wular Lake Freezes After Decades, Disrupting Fishermen and Locals in Kashmir

Kashmir is grappling with a severe cold wave, causing parts of Wular Lake in north Kashmir to freeze—a rare sight not witnessed in over two decades. The freezing conditions have disrupted the lives of fishermen and locals reliant on the lake’s resources.

In Bandipora, temperatures have plummeted to record lows, dipping below minus seven degrees Celsius on December 20 and 21. Ghulam Nabi, a 45-year-old resident of Zurimaz village, shared, “I haven’t seen Wular Lake freeze like this in nearly 20 years. The last few winters didn’t bring anything close to this.”

Each morning, a thin layer of ice—about half an inch thick—forms from the banks of the lake, extending up to 20 feet. Fishermen are left waiting for the ice to melt or resort to breaking it to access the water beneath. “Most of us either wait till afternoon or use tools to carve out a path through the frozen surface,” Ghulam Nabi added.

On Sunday, the lake had been frozen for three consecutive days, significantly impacting local livelihoods. Those who depend on water chestnuts, a key produce of the lake, are also bearing the brunt. The chestnuts, harvested late in the season, are locked in ice, disrupting their collection and processing.

Residents of Saderkoot Payeen, another village near the lake, reported that parts of the water body fed by the Jhelum River and its tributaries had “thickly frozen.” Tahir Aziz, a 26-year-old local, said, “My parents tell me they haven’t seen the lake freeze like this for over two decades. If the cold persists, the freeze might last a month.”

Fishing, lotus stem harvesting, and chestnut collection have all come to a standstill due to the harsh conditions. Showkat Maqbool, an official from the Wular Conservation and Management Authority (WUCMA), confirmed that most parts of the lake were frozen, with exceptions being areas frequented by migratory birds.

“The ice hasn’t thawed for days now,” Maqbool noted, highlighting that the prolonged freeze is affecting movement and daily activities in the area. If the cold spell continues, the lake’s icy grip could linger much longer.

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Wular Lake Freezes After Decades, Disrupting Fishermen and Locals in Kashmir