Srinagar, Jan 30 (KNS): The 40-day long harshest winter period in Kashmir, popularly known as ‘Chilai-Kalan’ ended Today with Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, receiving no snowfall till date, while few inches of snow were recorded in isolated parts of Jammu and Kashmir.
The entire period of ‘Chilai-Kalan’ witnessed dry weather like conditions across length and breadth of Jammu and Kashmir while as famous ski resort has seen 5 to 6 inches of snow on January 28 this month while as Sonamarg received 8 inches, which is lowest in last 35 years.
Chilai-Kalan, the 40-day harshest winter period when chances of snowfall and rains are maximum witnessed dry this year, leaving people associated with agriculture, horticulture and tourism in distress.
The dry weather conditions in ‘Chilai-Kalan’ have put dark clouds on Kashmir’s tourism industry and upcoming Khelo India Winter Games which is scheduled to be held in Gulmarg from February 2, as thousands of tourists have cancelled their bookings and stays at Kashmir.
Due to no snowfall in Kashmir valley this year, tourists can be seen moving to outside Kashmir valley to enjoy with their families and friends.
An official of Meteorological Department said that in the last day of Chilai-Kalan, the night temperature recorded a significant increase amid cloudy cover on Monday. Except Gulmarg which received 10 centimeters of snowfall in the last 24 hours, all places in Jammu and Kashmir recorded above freezing point temperature.
He said Srinagar, which received 1.1 mm of rain in the last 24 hours, recorded a low of 3.6°C against 3.3°C on previous night and it was 4.6°C below normal for the summer capital of J&K for this time of the year.
Similarly Qazigund recorded a minimum of 2.0°C against minus 0.6°C on the previous night, he said. The minimum temperature was 4.6°C above normal for the gateway town of Kashmir, while as Pahalgam, which had 2 mm of rain, recorded a low of 0.7°C against minus 0.6°C on the previous night and it was 6.8°C above normal for the famous resort in south Kashmir.
South Kashmir’s Kokernag recorded a minimum of 0.5°C against minus 0.1°C on the previous night and the temperature was above normal by 3.1°C for the place, MeT official said.
Kupwara town in north Kashmir, which had 9.8mm of rain, recorded a low of 0.5°C against 2.1°C on the previous night and it was 4.2°C above normal there, the official said.
Gulmarg, the official said, recorded a low of minus 3.2°C against minus 3.5°C on the previous night and the temperature was 4.3°C above normal for the world famous skiing resort in north Kashmir.
Jammu, he said, recorded a minimum of 9.3°C and it was below normal by 0.6°C for the winter capital of J&K.
Banihal recorded a low of 4.0°C, Batote 5.1°C and Bhaderwah 3.2°C, he said.
The MeT official said that in next 24 hours, there was possibility of light to moderate rain and snow at many places of J&K. “There is possibility of heavy snowfall over isolated higher reaches of Kashmir Division (Kupwara, Baramulla, Bandipora, Ganderbal, Shopian, Anantnag and Kulgam districts).”
The MeT official while continuing predicted light to moderate rain & snow at many places of Jammu and Kashmir on January 30 and 31.
“On January 30-31, he said there is possibility of light to moderate rain/snow at many places of J&K with chances of heavy snowfall over few higher reaches in these seven districts. From February 1-2, he said, generally cloudy weather with light rain and snow was expected at many places towards late afternoon and evening. From February 3-4, he said, there is possibility of light to moderate rain and snow at many places of J&K,” he said.
He said there is possibility of intermittent light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning in plains of Jammu Division with light snowfall over higher reaches with moderate snowfall over isolated higher reaches during 28th night to 31st January.
He said that weather system may lead to temporary closure of roads of higher reaches and important passes like Sinthan pass, Mughal Road, Sadhna, Razdan pass, Zojila etc. particularly during January 28-31. (KNS)