The harshest period of winters known locally as Chillai-Kalan has tightened its grip in the Kashmir Valley. Severe cold wave is sweeping the Valley plunging temperatures to record low. Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu & Kashmir recorded the coldest night of the last three decades and registered a minimum temperature of -8.5°C. This is the third lowest December temperature ever recorded in Srinagar in the last 133 years. The minimum temperatures were hovering between -6° to -7°C for nearly one week.
Chillai-Kalan is a 40-day harshest winter period for the Kashmir Valley. Freezing of water bodies and stacks of snow at regular intervals are the highlights of Chillai-Kalan. Chillai-Kalan lasts between December 21 and Jan 31. This is followed by Chillai-Khurd from Jan 31 to Feb 19 and trailed by the last and shortest, Chillai-Bache of a ten-day period. Following a severe cold wave, the famous Dal Lake has already frozen. Earlier the flights to Srinagar airport were also suspended following heavy snow. Even, the Jammu-Srinagar national highway was closed to vehicular traffic. The things have resumed normal now, but may not be for long.
There are two western disturbances likely to move across the state of Jammu & Kashmir during this week. The systems will move in tandem, nearly overlapping without a significant break, between the 01st and 06th Jan 2025. The new year account opens with mounds of snow for the peaks and the valleys. The second harshest phase of Chillai-Kalan is in the offing during this week. The week may start on a mild note for the valley but picks up halfway through and peaks between the 05th and 06th of January 2025. It is likely to disrupt communication and connectivity, yet again for most parts of the state. Very heavy snowfall is likely over Srinagar, Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Qazi Gund and Banihal region.