Weather in Kashmir: As Chillai Kalan arrives, new snowfall breaks the dry spell in Gulmarg and Sonamarg; two important highways are closed

Weather in Kashmir:  A protracted dry spell has come to an end with the arrival of Chillai Kalan, the hardest 40-day winter season, which has delivered new snow to the higher elevations of the Kashmir valley and rain to the plains. This change in the weather coincides with the beginning of the 40-day hard winter phase, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), which predicted a further decline in temperatures across the area.

“This is a break from the extended dry spell,” said the director of the Regional Meteorological Center in Srinagar. In several locations, there was light rain and much-needed snowfall on the upper elevations. The current action will go on till tonight, and then on Monday there will be another short period.

Light Rain and New Snowfall in the Kashmir Valley
With the arrival of Chillai Kalan on Saturday night, Jammu and Kashmir saw extensive snowfall and mild rain after a dry stretch that had lasted since early November. The Meteorological Department recorded rain in the lowlands and snowfall at higher altitudes, such as Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Pahalgam, and the Tulail Valley.

It seems to be raining mostly in Srinagar and the plains so far. The meteorological service warned of moderate to heavy snowfall in the upper parts of Kupwara, Bandipora, and Ganderbal but cautioned that a few lower areas of north and central Kashmir would get light precipitation.

Pahalgam in south Kashmir had temperatures as high as 5.6 degrees Celsius and as low as 2.8 degrees, while Gulmarg, the coldest station, recorded a high of 3.4 degrees Celsius and a minimum of -1.5 degrees Celsius. Srinagar had daytime highs of around 6 degrees Celsius and nighttime lows of about 4 degrees Celsius.

Road closures in the Kashmir Valley are caused by snowfall.
Significant interruptions were caused by fresh snowfall in the valley on Sunday, which resulted in the closure of important mountain crossings and the cancellation of many flights at Srinagar International Airport. The Mughal Road, which connects the Valley to the Pir Panjal area, and the Srinagar-Leh (SSG) Highway were blocked to traffic due to the buildup of snow and the slick conditions.

Despite significant snowfall, the Srinagar-Jammu Highway was still available for two-way traffic. Between Tangmarg and Gulmarg, the traffic department stopped tempo travelers, passenger service vehicles (PSVs), and cars with more over ten occupants.

“Only light motor vehicles with anti-skid chains will be permitted to carry passengers towards Gulmarg,” said SSP Traffic (Rural) Ravinder Pal Singh. From Tangmarg to Gulmarg, no car will be allowed without the appropriate anti-skid chains.

To prevent disruption, authorities have advised commuters to make appropriate travel plans and adhere to established traffic regulations.