Chilai-Kalan: Cold Intensifies in Kashmir, Mercury drops to below freezing points

Srinagar : In the ongoing 40-day harshest winter period— Chillai-Kalan, the mercury continued to settle below the freezing point across the Valley on Friday while the weatherman here has predicted light snowfall over isolated higher reaches on (Saturday).
Reports said the night temperature across the region dipped several degrees below freezing point with Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir recording a low of minus 3.3 degree Celsius.
Qazigund and Pahalgam in South Kashmir recorded a low of minus 3.0 degree Celsius and 4.8 degree Celsius respectively.
Gulmarg, a famous ski-resort, has recorded a low of minus 1.0 degree Celsius.
In Kupwara, the mercury settled at minus 3.4 degree Celsius while Kokernag recorded a low of minus 2.4 degree Celsius.
Moreover, Director Meteorological department (MeT), Dr Mukhtar Ahmad said that the weather is expected to remain generally cloudy with possibility of light snow over isolated higher reaches on December 23.
However, he stated that dry weather is expected on December 24 to December 26 while generally cloudy with possibility of light snow over isolated higher reaches is expected on December 27.
Director MeT has further predicted dry weather conditions from Dec 28-31st, saying that overall no significant weather activity is expected till ending December.
Pertinently, Chillai Kalan, a 40-day winter period, has commenced Friday. It is a period when Kashmir faces its harshest winter. This period begins on 21 December and ends on 31 January of the next year. It is followed by a 20-day long Chillai-Khurd (small cold) that occurs between January 31 and February 19 and a 10-day long Chillai-Bachha (baby cold) which begins from February 20 to March 2.
Pertinently, Chillai Kalan is a Persian word which means “Major Cold”