The harshest winter period in Kashmir, known as 'Chilla-i-Kalan,' began on Thursday as temperatures dropped several notches below the freezing point in many places. The intense cold wave and erratic electricity supply in several areas have compelled people to bundle up and use Kangri, the traditional earthen pot, to stay warm, as per a PTI report. The weather forecast predicts generally dry conditions for the next few days in Kashmir.
'Chilla-i-Kalan' will conclude on January 31. However, the cold wave persists in Kashmir even after, with a 20-day 'Chilla-i-Khurd' (small cold) followed by a 10-day 'Chillai-Bachha' (baby cold) period.
Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, experienced a low of minus 4.3 degrees Celsius on Tuesday night, down from the previous night's minus 3.7 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, the famous ski resort of Gulmarg in Baramulla district recorded a low of minus 3.0 degrees Celsius.
Pahalgam, situated in south Kashmir's Anantnag district and serving as one of the base camps for the annual Amarnath Yatra, registered a minimum temperature of minus 5.8 degrees Celsius, according to PTI. Qazigund recorded a low of minus 4.0 degrees Celsius, Kokernag town settled at minus 3.0 degrees Celsius, and Kupwara recorded a low of minus 4.0 degrees Celsius.
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The decrease in temperature has led to the freezing of numerous slow-moving water bodies and water supply pipes in certain areas.
'Chilla-i-Kalan' is the 40-day harshest winter period when cold wave grips the region and the temperature drops considerably leading to the freezing of water bodies, including the famous Dal Lake.
The weather conditions have exacerbated respiratory problems among the elderly and children. In the past, valley residents relied on dried vegetables to cope with the scarcity of fresh produce during winter when heavy snowfall often led to closures of the Srinagar-Jammu highway.