A blanket of snow covered several Gulmargs on Sunday morning after a fresh spell marking the onset of Chillai Kalan. Videos of fresh snow in the hill station of Baramulla district show the landscape covered in shades of white. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast moderate to heavy snowfall in the upper reaches of Jammu and Kashmir and has issued a yellow alert for both Kashmir and Jammu division.
This snowfall marks the beginning of Kashmir’s 40-day harsh winter season, which ends on January 31. One of the main wet spells of this winter season comes after an extended dry spell. The IMD has warned of moderate to heavy snowfall in Kupwara, Bandipora and Ganderbal on December 21.
On December 20, Gulmarg recorded a minimum temperature of 2 degrees Celsius above freezing point. Pulwama recorded a minimum of minus 3.2 degrees Celsius, becoming the coldest place in the state. Srinagar recorded a low of minus 0.4 degrees Celsius while Pahalgam, one of the base camps for the Amarnath Yatra, recorded a low of minus 1 degree Celsius. Kokernag and Qazigund recorded a minimum of 0.8 and minus 1 degree Celsius, according to IMD data on Saturday.
Omar Abdullah convenes a meeting on winter preparedness
Authorities made preparations and measures on Saturday ahead of the expected heavy snowfall at higher altitudes. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah chaired a review meeting on Saturday to discuss winter preparedness in the Jammu and Kashmir Valley region.
“I have conducted a review of both the divisions, especially the areas where snowfall is expected – all the valley districts and upper reaches of Jammu. The administration has completed all preparations but whether it will be enough will be known only on Sunday when it starts snowing,” PTI quoted Omar Abdullah as saying.
Expressing optimism about the economic boost this snowfall would provide, he added, “Although we are facing some hardships due to the snow, I don’t think anyone should complain because we have been eagerly waiting for it. The snowfall will clear the air, reduce pollution and kick-start the winter tourism season.”
Omar Abdullah reviewed several key measures and instructed the department to ensure timely deployment of manpower and machinery ranging from drainage arrangements, power supply, 4×4 ambulance, helicopter services for remote and snowy areas and 24×7 control centers to smooth movement of vehicles on State Highway 44.
