Harshest winter phase ‘Chillai-Kalan’ begins in Kashmir following heavy snowfall

A 40-day long period of extreme cold ‘Chillai-Kalan’ began in Kashmir on December 21. It will continue till January 31 followed by Chillai-Khurd and Chillai-Bachha. A 20-day long Chillai-Khurd (small cold) starts from January 31 to February 19 and a 10-day long Chillai-Bachha (baby cold) occurs between February 20 to March 02. As per India Meteorological Department (IMD), the period mostly remains wet as the upper part of the Valley received heavy snowfall and the maximum temperature drops considerably. During this period, water bodies like lakes, river and stream get frozen with a thick layer of sheets. The maximum and minimum temperature at isolated places over Jammu and Kashmir was recorded between -1.6°C and -3.0°C below normal, the weather agency said. In Srinagar, minimum temperature was 0 degree Celsius, Pahalgam -7. In Gulmarg, the temperature was below - 9 Degree Celsius, IMD said. While speaking to ANI, a local said, “In this period, snow gets frozen and it doesn't melt. Kashmiris face trouble in this phase due to heavy snowfall and cold wind. It has been named Chillai-Kalan by our ancestors.” The IMD informed that the western disturbance as a cyclonic circulation over adjoining Jammu and Kashmir between 3.1 and 5.8 km above mean sea level has moved away northeastward.