Ahead of the 40-day long extreme cold period in Kashmir, popularly known as ‘Chillai Kalan’ in Kashmir, Leh and Kargil remained the coldest regions of the state at minus 12 degree Celsius on Monday.This year, Chillai Kalan will begin on December 21 and will end on January 31.
Officials of local Meteorological department said, “In Leh minimum temperature was recorded at minus 12.2 degrees Celsius, while it was minus 12.1 degrees Celsius in Kargil town of Ladakh region.” Adding that these towns were the coldest in Jammu and Kashmir on Monday.
Snowfall replenishes reservoirs during Chillai Kalan
During the Chillai Kalan period, all the water bodies of Kashmir Valley including lakes, rivers and streams freeze while the roads become extremely slippery in the morning and the evenings.
However, the good thing about this harshest winter period is that the snowfall replenishes the perennial reservoirs that feed the rivers, streams and lakes in Kashmir during the months of summer.
Wet weather in Kashmir over next 24 hours
Minimum temperature in Srinagar city was recorded at two degrees Celsius and minus 4.1 degrees Celsius in Pahalgam and minus 10 degrees Celsius in Gulmarg.
“The minimum temperature was recorded at 6.8 degrees Celsius in Jammu city and Katra town, 0.6 degrees Celsius in Batote, 0.3 degrees Celsius in Banihal and minus one degrees Celsius in Bhaderwah town,” the official said.
Weatherman predicted rain or snow likely to occur during the next 24 hours at isolated places in Jammu and Kashmir.
