Srinagar, Jan. 3 : While mercury continues to show temperature going further down the minus degree mark in Kashmir Valley, the shopkeepers selling electrical heating gadgets are enjoying a brisk sale here.

Around a hundred big and small retailers of electronic appliances have capitalised on the early spell of cold. Often, the chilly winters in the valley start in mid December but this year the mercury had plunged to minus mark in November.

Many shops in Srinagar are laden with high-end heating gadgets like the electric blanket, halogen heaters, gas heaters, carbon heaters and many more of use for domestic purposes.

"People need heating gadgets. However, as digital electric meters have been installed in the city, people find it difficult to afford blowers and are relying on heating gadgets that consume low power. Halogen heaters, electric blanket, gas heaters are finding many buyers this winters," said Nazir Ahmad, a retailer of electric appliances.

Theses electronic gadgets are easy-to-use and can be used on uninterrupted Power Supply System (invertors), as they have low power consumption as compared to traditional coil-heaters and electric blowers.

"People here are purchasing these heating equipments in good numbers. People have preference for a carbon heater, which has medical utility too and needs quite low power. Such low- consumption high utility gadgets are selling like hotcakes," said Parvez Ahmed, another retailer.

The cost of these electric heating gadgets range from rupees 200 and onwards, a price affordable for even the middle-class families here. The customers have a wide range of gadgets to choose from these shops.

"I have come here to buy an electric blanket. Earlier, people used to rely on Kangris but since modern technology has made many items versatile, the charm of Kangris is fading. Most of the people these days prefer hi-tech electrical heating gadgets," said Ajaz Ahmed, a customer.

He added electric blankets are much sought after by many families since they further warm up the conventional woolen blankets.

"This time winters are intense. I have also come to buy some heating gadget and I am happy to see that shops have stocked consumer friendly items," said G. M. Wani, another customer.

As per the meteorological department, the cold wave conditions are likely to persist for a many more days.

The valley is reeling under an intense cold wave with night temperature dipping seven degrees below freezing point. A thick layer of ice has formed over the famous Dal Lake, here. (ANI)