Kashmir Braces for Intense Winter Period ‘Chilai-Kalan’; Gulmarg, Leh, Pahalgam Shiver in Biting Cold

Srinagar, December 22: Jammu and Kashmir continued to reel under cold wave conditions with heavy snowfall in several parts, especially in the Kashmir Valley. The Valley braced for Chillai-Kalan- the 40-day intense winter period on Saturday even as the region continues to remain in the grip of intense cold wave. Biting cold persisted in most parts of Valley with the meteorological department predicting a further dip in minimum temperature. Chilai-Kalan 2019 Begins in Kashmir: View Mesmerising Pics and Videos.

During the Chillai-Kalan period, chances of snowfall in Kashmir are the highest while the maximum temperature drops considerably. According to reports, the Gulmarg region in north Kashmir received 5 cm of snowfall with mercury settling at a low of minus 9.6 degrees Celsius on Friday night. Meanwhile, Pahalgam received 21 cm of snowfall and recorded a minimum temperature of minus 3 degrees Celsius. Pahalgam serves as one of the base camps for the annual Amarnath Yatra in south Kashmir.

The other regions that were under the spell of heavy snow include Qazigund in south Kashmir. which received 38.5 cm of snowfall and mercury dropping to a low of minus zero degrees Celsius. In Leh district of Ladakh, the temperature was recorded at a low of minus 9.5 degrees Celsius, while Drass registered a low of minus 6 degrees Celsius.

Heavy snowfall and incessant rains have triggered landslides and made the road slippery at many places on the highway. In Kashmir, though Chillai-Kalan ends at the end of January, winter chills continue in the Valley. Chillai Kalan is followed by a 20-day long ‘Chillai Khurd’ (small cold) and a 10-day-long ‘Chilla Bachha’ (baby cold).