Harshest winter phase ‘Chillai-Kalan’ begins in Kashmir Valley

Srinagar: The traditional 40-day long period of harsh winter known as the ‘Chillai Kalan’ began today in the Kashmir Valley.

The period known for sub-zero temperatures, frozen streams, lakes and rivers however, started on a milder note.

“Due to cloud cover, the minimum temperatures throughout Jammu and Kashmir have improved on Monday,” Kashmir Weather, an independent weather forecaster said.

Srinagar recorded a low of minus 4.0 degrees Celsius last night, an increase from minus 6.2 degrees Celsius the previous night, he said.

The mercury in Qazigund in south Kashmir settled at a low of minus 4.6 degrees Celsius nearly one degree up from minus 5.7 degrees Celsius, while Kokernag town recorded a low of minus 3.9 degrees Celsius, he said.

Kupwara town in north Kashmir registered a low of minus 2.5 degrees Celsius compared to minus 5.6 degrees Celsius the previous night, the weather forecaster said.

He said, Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 6.4 degrees Celsius last night compared to the previous night’s minus 7.5 degrees Celsius.

The resort recorded the lowest temperature in the valley, he added.

The night temperature in Pahalgam rose from minus 7.7 degree Celsius to minus 4.6 degree Celsius, the weather forecaster said.

He said, Jammu city recorded 5.8, Katra 7.0, Batote 3.3, Banihal 1.0 and Bhaderwah minus 1.2 as the minimum temperatures.

Leh town of Ladakh Union Territory recorded a low of minus 13.1 degrees Celsius last night – nearly 2 degrees up from previous night’s minus 15.0 degrees Celsius, he said.

The nearby Kargil town registered a low of minus 20.0 degrees Celsius, he said.

Kashmir Weather has forecast mainly dry weather till 26th December in the valley.

Chillai Kalan will end on January 30 next year.
It will be followed by a 20-day-long period called ‘Chillai-Khurd’ (small cold) from January 31 to February 19 and a 10-day-long period ‘Chillai-Bachha’ (baby cold) from February 20 to March 1.