The picturesque valleys of Jammu and Kashmir officially ushered in the harshest winter period, Chillai Kalan, with the season's first significant snowfall on Sunday. This much-anticipated downpour across several locations broke a prolonged dry spell, bringing cheer to the tourism-dependent economy and painting popular destinations in pristine white.
Winter's Grand Arrival: Top Destinations Adorned in Snow
The onset of the 40-day Chillai Kalan period was marked by celebrations among tourists and locals alike in key areas. Gulmarg, Anantnag, Kishtwar, and Sonamarg were among the top locations that received fresh snowfall, transforming into winter wonderlands. Interestingly, while these hill stations reveled in the wet spell, the capital city of Srinagar recorded its warmest night this winter on December 21, with the minimum temperature settling at 4 degrees Celsius, which is six notches above the seasonal average.
The Chillai Kalan, known for its sub-zero temperatures, frost-covered landscapes, and frozen water bodies, will continue until January 31. It will be followed by the milder phases of 'Chillai-Khurd' (small cold) and 'Chillai-Bacha' (baby cold).
Weather Warnings and Travel Disruptions
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for both the Kashmir and Jammu divisions, forecasting light to moderate snowfall in the higher reaches over the next 24 hours. The weather agency warned of heavy rainfall or snowfall accompanied by snowstorms with wind speeds reaching 50-60 kmph, gusting to 70 kmph, and reduced visibility below 400 meters in isolated places over higher reaches.
The sudden winter fury led to significant travel disruptions:
- Traffic on three key routes—Sonamarg, Mughal, and Sinthan Top roads—was suspended due to snow accumulation.
- At least 14 flights were cancelled at Srinagar airport on Sunday due to low visibility and dense fog.
- Major airlines like IndiGo and SpiceJet cancelled flights and issued passenger advisories, urging travelers to check their flight status.
- The Airports Authority of India (AAI) also issued a broader travel advisory for northern India due to prevailing fog conditions.
Despite the fog enveloping the iconic Dal Lake in Srinagar, boat rides and sightseeing services continued to operate. The IMD has forecast that the minimum and maximum temperatures in Srinagar are likely to settle around 3 and 9 degrees Celsius respectively on December 23.
A Silver Lining for Tourism and Economy
The early snowfall is a welcome development for Jammu and Kashmir's economy, which is primarily driven by tourism. The fresh snow cover in premier destinations like Gulmarg and Sonamarg is expected to attract a large number of domestic and international tourists, opening doors for a lucrative winter season. The scenic transformation promises enhanced opportunities for winter sports, sightseeing, and the local hospitality sector, providing a vital economic boost after the dry spell.
