Warmer days, prolonged dry spell consume this year’s Chillai-Kalan in Kashmir

40-day harshest winter period culminates on dry note in Srinagar, other parts of Valley

Srinagar, Jan 29  : Unlike previous years, this Chillai-Kalan was not kind enough for the people of Kashmir as warmer days and the prolonged dry spell has been recorded in the 40-day harshest winter period that ends on Monday.

Although the majority of days passed without any major activity, however, the last two days recorded a moderate snowfall at several places including the world famous ski-resort, Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Karnah and other areas of Kupwara, Gurez, Tragbal Bandipora, Tangmarg and other places.

Nonetheless, the summer capital of Jammu & Kashmir, Srinagar, and other areas witnessed dry Chillai-Kalan this year as no major weather activity was recorded throughout the 40-day period.

The local Meteorological department (MeT) here has predicted light to moderate snowfall at many places across J&K.

“On Tuesday and Wednesday, there is a possibility of light to moderate rain, snow at many places of J&K with chances of heavy snowfall over few higher reaches including Kupwara, Bandipora, Baramulla, Ganderbal, Shopian, Kulgam and Anantnag districts,” Director MeT, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).

Moreover, he said the weather is expected to remain generally cloudy on February 01 and February 02 with the possibility of light rain and snowfall at few places towards late afternoon and evening.

However, he said that there is again a possibility of light to moderate rain or snowfall at many places of J&K on February 03 and February 04.

Furthermore, the MeT Director said that in Jammu division, there is a possibility of intermittent light to moderate rain with thunder, lightning in plains with light snowfall over higher reaches with moderate snowfall over isolated higher reaches including Banihal, Ponch, Doda & Kishtwar during 30-31st Jan & 3-4th February.

The weatherman has also issued an advisory, saying that the system may lead to temporary closure of roads of higher reaches and important passes like Sinthan pass, Mughal Road, Sadhna & Razdan pass, Zojila and others during 30-31st Jan.

Travellers are advised to plan accordingly, he said, adding that the farmers are advised to withheld irrigation and fertilizer application & drain out excess water from Orchards and fields during the above mentioned period—(KNO)