SRINAGAR: The traditional 40-day period of extreme cold, known as ‘Chilai-Kalan’, begins on Monday, December 21.
Major parts of famous Dal Lake frozen as Chilai Kalan begins in Kashmir. KL Image by Bilal Bahadur
Chilai-Kalan is the 40-day period of harsh winter. Chillai-Kalan begins from December 21 and ends on January 31 next year. It is followed by a 20-day long Chillai-Khurd that occurs between January 31 and February 19 and a 10-day long Chillai-Bachha which is from February 20 to March 2.
“These 40 days are when the chances of snowfall are the highest and the maximum temperature drops considerably,” MeT official said.
Meanwhile, a local meteorological department official said western Disturbance is going to affect Jammu and Kashmir from Wednesday afternoon onwards.
Under its influence, light rain/snow can occur at a few places between 23 and 24 afternoon. A short moderate spell in higher reaches can’t be ruled out, the official said.
The night temperature rose slightly across the valley last night owing to a cloud cover, but the minimum still settled below the freezing point, the official said.
Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 2.8 degrees Celsius, slightly up from the previous night’s minus 5.8 degrees Celsius, he said.
Famous tourist destinations of Kashmir Gulmarg recorded a minimum temperature of minus 5.0 degree Celsius up from minus 5.5 degrees Celsius.
The mercury in Pahalgam tourist resort in south Kashmir settled at a low of minus 3.7 degrees Celsius – showing marginal improvement over yesterday’s minus 7.4.
Kokernag town recorded minus 3.3 degree Celsius while Kupwara town in north Kashmir registered a low of minus 3.8 degrees Celsius last night. Jammu recorded 5.6, Katra 6.0, Batote 4.3, Banihal 2.4 and Bhaderwah minus 2.6 as the minimum temperature.
In Kashmir “Chillai Kalan” is considered to be the severest part of the winter for which people brace up in advance.
