SRINAGAR: As the valley prepares for “Chilla-i-Kalan,” the 40-day harshest winter period, the minimum temperature in Kashmir remained several degrees below the freezing point, officials said on Wednesday. According to officials, the previous night’s low of minus 3.7 degrees Celsius was surpassed by a low of minus 4.4 degrees Celsius on Tuesday night in Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir. According to reports, Pahalgam, one of the base camps for the yearly Amarnath Yatra in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, recorded a minimum temperature of minus 6.3 degrees Celsius.According to officials, a low of minus 4.4 degrees Celsius was recorded at the well-known ski resort of Gulmarg in the Baramulla district. The minimum temperature in Qazigund was recorded at minus 4 degrees Celsius, while in Kokernag town it was recorded at minus 3.3 degrees Celsius and in Kupwara at minus 3.5 degrees Celsius. The weather bureau has predicted mostly dry conditions in Kashmir for the upcoming few days due to a predicted further drop in the minimum temperature. A lot of the slower moving water bodies have frozen as a result of the temperature drop. In certain places, it has also caused the water supply pipes to freeze. People in many parts of Kashmir have turned to using “kangri,” an earthen firepot, as a means of heating up during the unpredictable winter months.Children and the elderly are experiencing more respiratory issues as a result of the temperature drop. The 40-day period known as ‘Chilla-i-Kalan’ is the most severe winter period. During this time, a cold wave sweeps the area, causing a significant drop in temperature that causes water bodies, including the well-known Dal Lake here, as well as the water supply lines in several valley areas, to freeze. During this time, there is a greater likelihood of snowfall than at any other time of year, and most places—especially those in the upper reaches—experience heavy snowfall. The duration of ‘Chillai-Kalan’ is from December 21 to January 31. Even after that, Kashmir experiences a 20-day “Chillai-Khurd” (small cold) and a 10-day “Chillai-Bachha” (baby cold) cold wave.
