Kashmir Weather Update: Cold Wave Intensifies As Valley Sees The Harshest Winter Spell Of Chilla-I-Kalan

'Chilla-i-Kalan' is a 40-day period when the Kashmir valley remains in the grip of harshest winter. The period began on December 21 last year and will end on January 31.

The Chilla-i-Kalan period started in Kashmir valley on December 21 | Photo: AFP

Srinagar: Kashmir is reeling under extreme cold, with the minimum temperature plunging below the freezing point across the valley, officials were quoted as saying on Thursday.

Summer capital Srinagar recorded minus 1.3 degrees Celsius, down from 1.3 degrees Celsius the previous night, according to a PTI report, while Gulmarg recorded minus 10 degrees, slightly up from minus 10.4 degrees Celsius recorded the previous night.

Pahalgam, which serves as the base camp for the annual Amarnath Yatra, recorded minus 10.9 degrees Celsius, further down from minus 5.6 degrees recorded the previous night.

Quoting the officials, PTI reported that Qazigund in south Kashmir recorded a minimum of minus 0.2 degrees Celsius, while nearby Kokernag saw the mercury dipping to a low of minus 4.3 degrees Celsius.

The minimum temperature in north Kashmir's Kupwara was recorded at minus 3.4 degrees Celsius.

It's currently the 'Chilla-i-Kalan' time in Kashmir valley, which is a 40-day period when the valley remains in the grip of harshest winter. The period began on December 21 last year, the PTI report said.

A cold wave grips the valley during 'Chilla-i-Kalan', and the temperature drops considerably. Water bodies, including the famous Dal Lake, freeze during this time, and so do the water supply lines in several parts.

The maximum and most frequent snowfall is experienced during this period, with most areas, especially the higher reaches, receiving heavy to very heavy snowfall.

The 'Chilla-i-Kalan', which will end on January 31, will be followed by a 20-day 'Chillai-Khurd' (small cold), and a 10-day 'Chillai-Bachha' (baby cold).