Dal Lake freezes

The Dal lake froze partially overnight after temperature dipped to 3.6 degrees celsius below freezing, official sources said on Wednesday.

The lake froze at many places, with the thickness of ice varying between 20 centimetres at the banks and six centimetres towards the middle of the lake, they said.

The lake has frozen several times in the past during chilly winters, with the ice-covered lake in 1964 and 1986 etched in the memory of many residents.

In 1986, the ice layer over the lake was so thick that a jeep could be driven over it, while at many places, children played cricket over it.