Jammu and Kashmir: Popular tourist spots including Gulmarg, Sonamarg and other parts of Jammu and Kashmir turned into a perfect winter wonderland as fresh snow blanketed the region on the first day of Chillai Kalan.
‘Chillai Kalan’ – a 40-day period of severe winter in Jammu and Kashmir – began on December 21 and will end on January 31. It is a season marked by sub-zero temperatures, frozen bodies of water and landscapes covered in frost and snow.
Sonamarg in the Kashmir Valley witnessed the first snowfall of the season on Sunday, blanketing the region in a thick layer of white. At the same time, Srinagar continues to experience a persistent cold wave with foggy spells.
Residents and tourists were seen enjoying the winter wonderland as snow settled on vehicles, buildings and roads in Ganderbal district’s Sonamarg. Get ready for a visual treat as we take you through the mesmerizing snow sceneries of Jammu and Kashmir:
What other areas got snow?
Not just Sonamarg and Srinagar, another area in Jammu and Kashmir – Anantnag – experienced the first rain of the season, marking the beginning of Chillai Kalan.
During Chillai Kalan, parts of Jammu and Kashmir usually experience heavy snowfall that disrupts daily life. During this period, the mercury often drops to extremely low levels, leading to the freezing of bodies of water, including parts of Srinagar’s famous Dal Lake.
Srinagar saw a drop in temperatures, with a change of -4°C since December 20, as a cold wave continues in the city, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
Dense fog has been reported over areas such as Dal Lake, boat rides and sightseeing tours are still operating.
The rest of the weather stations, including Pahalgam in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, recorded minimum temperatures between 2.5 degrees Celsius and 3.8 degrees Celsius.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast moderate to heavy snowfall in higher elevations and light to moderate rainfall in the plains.
The local name – Chillai Kalan – comes from the Persian words “Chilla” meaning “forty days” and “Kalan” meaning “great wave of cold”.
During Chillai Kalan, authorities have advised residents and visitors to take precautions against the cold and monitor weather updates, especially in areas prone to sudden snowfall and fog.
