1. Srinagar experiences the coldest night during “Chilla-i-Kalan”.
2. A thin layer of ice forms on Dal Lake and other water bodies.
3. A harsh 40-day period leads to severe cold waves, and freezing temperatures.
Srinagar, Jan 07: Srinagar, gripped by the harsh winter period known as “Chilla-i-Kalan,” witnessed the coldest night of the season, leading to the formation of a thin layer of ice on Dal Lake and other water bodies in Kashmir.
This 40-day period brings a severe cold wave, causing a significant drop in temperatures, and freezing water bodies and pipes.
The likelihood of snowfall is highest during this phase, affecting various regions, especially the higher altitudes that experience heavy snowfall.
On Saturday night, Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of minus 5.6 degrees Celsius, slightly lower than the previous night.
Qazigund reported minus 5.0 degrees Celsius, while Gulmarg recorded 4.4 degrees Celsius, and Pahalgam, a key base camp for the Amarnath Yatra, saw a minimum of minus 6.5 degrees Celsius.
The chill extended to Kokernag at minus 2.7 degrees Celsius and Kupwara at minus 5.3 degrees Celsius. Residents of Dal Lake’s houseboats faced challenges breaking the ice layer to reach the banks, and water in pipes froze in various parts of the Kashmir valley.
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The region is experiencing an extended dry spell, with a 79 percent rainfall deficit recorded in December. Most plains in Kashmir received no snowfall, and the upper reaches witnessed below-average snowfall.
The Meteorological Department predicts mainly dry weather until January 12. While the “Chilla-i-Kalan” is set to conclude on January 31, cold conditions will persist with a 20-day “Chilla-i-Khurd” (small cold) and a 10-day “Chilla-i-Bachha” (baby cold).
