The 40-day harsh winter period (Chillai Kalan) in Kashmir began on Sunday, with rain and snowfall. The higher reaches received snowfall, while the plains experienced moderate rainfall, which is expected to continue intermittently over the next few days, officials said.
Precipitation improved the air quality, and visible improvements were also noted in the dense, foggy conditions.
Prolonged dry spell with dense fog had exacerbated the hardships of common people in Kashmir, with elders and young children reporting a surge in respiratory diseases.
The cold weather conditions have, however, persisted across the Kashmir valley, with minimum temperatures plunging to several degrees below freezing point on Saturday.
According to the MeT office in Srinagar, “Generally cloudy weather with light to moderate snow over higher reaches and light rain/snow in plains is expected to continue over the next 48 hours.”
Nearly all weather stations in the Kashmir Valley recorded a slight dip in the minimum temperatures amid an ongoing cold wave.
Authorities, including the weather officials, fire and emergency services, and traffic police, have issued advisories to people to avoid unnecessary travel over the routes on the elevated slopes.
Chillai Kalan, considered the coldest and most crucial phase of the winter, begins on December 21 and ends on January 31 every year.
Chillai Kalan, running from December 21 to January 31, is the coldest phase of winter, vital for replenishing water bodies through snowfall on mountaintops and forests.
This precipitation supports summer water supplies, horticulture, and agriculture in the region.
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