SRINAGAR, INDIA

A boatman collects lotus stem from the frozen waters of Nigeen Lake in Srinagar in the Kashmir Valley. Sub-zero temperatures in Srinagar this winter have caused severe difficulties for locals and tourists staying in houseboats on two of the city’s lakes, with the layer of ice leaving them unable to move. Srinagar recorded its coldest night in 30 years at the start of 2021, with a low of -8.4°C.

Local organisations and emergency services joined forces to provide assistance to people stuck on Dal and Nigeen lakes who were unable to fetch supplies. Food kits and emergency medicines were delivered to the houseboats that were stranded.

Houseboats are a common sight in the Kashmir Valley – there are about 950 of them in total in the region. Staying in one of the intricately carved wooden houseboats is considered a must for tourists, but visitors have been few and far between lately. Since Jammu and Kashmir was stripped of its autonomy and statehood in August 2019 by Indian prime minister Narendra Modi, the tourism industry has been decimated. There were 499,584 visitors to Kashmir in 2019 – but only 43,059 after August.

In addition to the harsh military crackdown causing tourists to steer clear, COVID-19 lockdowns have also badly affected tourism in the area. Many houseboat owners have been left unable to pay for essential maintenance on their vessels and seven houseboats have sunk in Srinagar since July.