Kashmir is bracing for ‘Chilla-i-Kalan’ — the 40-day harshest winter period as the cold has intensified and night temperature stayed many degrees below the freezing point in the Valley on Wednesday.
A MeT official said Srinagar recorded minimum temperature of minus 4.4 degrees Celsius on Tuesday night while Pahalgam in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district recorded a minimum temperature of minus 6.3 degrees Celsius.
The world famous ski resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir district recorded a low of minus 4.4 degrees Celsius.
Qazigund recorded a low of minus 4 degree Celsius, Kokernag town saw the minimum settle at minus 3.3 degrees Celsius and Kupwara recorded a low of minus 3.5 degrees Celsius.
The drop in temperature has resulted in freezing of many slow moving water bodies. It has also resulted in freezing of water supply pipes in some areas.
With electricity supply erratic in many areas of Kashmir, people have resorted to use of ‘kangri’, an earthen firepot, and traditional bukharis to beat the chill.
The MeT official said the weather will mainly remain dry until December 23, and from December 24-26, it will be generally cloudy with the possibility of light snow over isolated higher reaches.
“Overall, there is no significant weather activity till December 26,” he said.
Meanwhile, the 40-day harshest winter period -- ‘Chilla-i-Kalan’ – will begin from Thursday.
The chances of snowfall are the most frequent and maximum during this period and most areas, especially the higher reaches, receive heavy snowfall.
It is the 40-day harshest winter period when cold wave grips the region and the temperature drops considerably leading to the freezing of water bodies, including the famous Dal Lake here as well as the water supply lines in several parts of the valley.
The ‘Chillai-Kalan’ ends on January 31.
The Chilai Kalan is followed by a 20-day-long ‘Chillai-Khurd’ (small cold) and a 10-day-long ‘Chillai-Bachha’ (baby cold).