40-Day Chillai-Kalan Begins In J&K, Srinagar Records Coldest December Night Of Last 4 Decades

Chillai-Kalan, a 40-day severe winter period marked by three phases of decreasing cold: Chillai-Khurd, Chillai-Bachha, and finally Chillai-Bachha. It is a Persian word which means “Major Cold”.

The image of Dal Lake covered with thin ice sheets.

Source : PTI

Chillai-Kalan, a 40-day harshest winter period, commenced with an intense cold wave conditions as Srinagar has recorded the coldest night of December in the last four decades.

VIDEO | First day of Kashmir's harshest cold period, Chillai Kalan, begins today. Chillai Kalan is a harsh winter period of 40 days between December 21 to January 29. Srinagar records the season's lowest temperature at minus 8.5 degrees Celsius.

(Full video available on PTI… pic.twitter.com/ZSQ5SA3jej

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 21, 2024

After 1986, Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, recorded the coldest night in the month of December at minus 8.5 degrees Celsius, which is the third lowest December temperature ever recorded in Srinagar in the last 133 years.

As per the details available, Shopian in South Kashmir recorded a low of minus 10.4 degrees Celsius while Anantnag recorded minus 10.5 degrees Celsius.

#ChillaiKalan, the 40-day core of the winter, begins with the minimum night temperature of -8.5 degree Celsius in Srinagar, #Kashmir. Perhaps the lowest in December in 35 years..

Time for Kangri and Pheran 🥶 pic.twitter.com/6fSnar81qB

— Fatima Dar (@FatimaDar_jk) December 21, 2024

The minimum temperature at Pulwama settled at minus 10.3 degrees Celsius while in Kulgam it settled at minus 6.8 degrees Celsius.

The extreme cold wave during the Chillai-Kalan leads to freezing of several water bodies, including the Dal Lake.

#WATCH | Srinagar, J&K | The surface of Dal Lake freezes as intensifying coldwave grips Kashmir Valley.

The 40-day winter period 'Chillai Kalan' begins in the Valley from today. pic.twitter.com/mtTOR9ZqtC

— ANI (@ANI) December 21, 2024

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) forcast a dry weather till December 26, while cold waves is expected to continue over the next few days at isolated places. The higher altitudes of the valley is expected to witness light snowfall on the night of December 21-22. The weather bureau said that snow flurries can possibly also be witnessed from the afternoon of December 27 to the forenoon of December 28. It added that the weather is likely to remain dry on December 29-30 while light snowfall is expected on the New Year's Eve. 

Notably, Chillai-Kalan is a Persian word which means “Major Cold”.