The 40-day long winter period in Kashmir, regionally called as Chilai-Kalan began on December 21, 2019. These days are considered as the harshest period in the valley, as the chances of heavy snowfall are the highest. The maximum temperature during Chilai-Kalan drops considerably as citizens brace the bitterly cold weather. According to officials the snowfall began early on Friday and continued throughout the night. People have taken to Twitter to mark Chilai-Kalan 2019 as the snowfall blankets valley. The mesmerising pictures and videos show the chilliest winter season that the valley experience annually. ‘Chilai-Kalan’, 40-Days of Harshest Winter, Begins in Kashmir With Snowfall in Valley’s Upper Reaches. 

During these 40 days of Chilai-Kalan, the weather in Kashmir remains dry and cold with the minimum temperature soaring below the freezing point. Chilai-Kalan is followed by a 20-day long Chilai-Khurd that usually occurs between January 31 and February 19 and a 10-day long Chilai-Bachha from February 20 to March 2. The dates often do not vary, but depends on the climate changes throughout the year.

According to media reports, the ski resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir received 5 cm of snowfall and the mercury settled at a low of minus 9.6 degrees Celsius on Friday night. Again, Srinagar recorded a low of minus 0.4 degree Celsius on the same night. MeT department said that they received reports of other areas in the upper reaches of the valley receiving fresh snowfall. The internet is currently banned in Kashmir, which came into effect during the abrogation of Article 370. Amid the chilliest weather and internet banning, some managed to take to social media to share beautiful pictures and videos of the valley covered in a blanket of snow.

Blanket of Snow:

Welcome Chilai-Kalan: Watch Video

Freezing Cold!

Chilai-Kalan will end on January 31, 2020. The snow during these 40 days, freezes and lasts longer. Any snowfall after the 40-day period of Chilai-Kalan does not last long. People also cook Shab Deg, which is cooked with Turnip, and the meat version includes lamb, beef or chicken. As the chilliest winter season has only begun in the valley, we are expecting more pictures and videos to surface online. We hope that people brace the weather and the 40 days of harshest winter ends soon in the valley.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 22, 2019 10:37 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).