Udaipur Kiran, Srinagar, 30 December: All roads in the upper areas of Kashmir were closed on Tuesday as the Meteorological Department predicted rain and snowfall in Jammu and Kashmir over the next two days.
The weather department forecast snowfall in the higher regions and rain in the plains for the coming days. Travelers and transporters have been advised to follow the guidelines issued by the traffic and administrative departments.
Authorities have shut down traffic on Srinagar-Leh Highway, Sinthan Pass in Anantnag district, Margan Pass connecting the valley to Kishtwar district of Jammu, and Mughal Road linking the valley to Jammu Division. However, traffic continues on the Srinagar-Jammu Highway.
Minimum temperatures recorded were 1 degree Celsius in Srinagar, minus 1.6 in Gulmarg, and minus 1.2 in Pahalgam. Jammu city recorded a minimum night temperature of 8.6 degrees Celsius, Katra 9.8, Batote 7.7, Banihal 5, and Bhaderwah 3.8 degrees Celsius.
The harsh 40-day cold period locally known as ‘Chillai Kalan’ began on 21 December and will end on 30 January. This phase brings heavy snowfall, which replenishes the perennial water reservoirs in Jammu and Kashmir’s mountains. These reservoirs supply water to rivers, streams, and lakes during summer.
Lack of snowfall during Chillai Kalan is considered disastrous as it signals drought in the summer months. Hence, snowfall is eagerly awaited by the people.
As many visitors arrive in the valley to celebrate the New Year, hotels in Srinagar, Gulmarg, and Pahalgam are fully booked. People are looking forward to memorable New Year celebrations accompanied by good snowfall.
The first snowfall during Chillai Kalan is a festive occasion in Kashmir. Friends and relatives congratulate each other and invite one another for feasts to celebrate the event.
Deependra Singh Chundawat is a Senior Sub-Editor at Udaipur Kiran, specializing in a wide range of technology topics including mobile phones, applications, gaming, PCs, and wearables. Along with covering the latest tech news, he also creates engaging web stories. Passionate about emerging technologies, he stays up to date with the newest trends and enjoys reading and writing about the latest mobile launches and digital innovations.