The Valley of Kashmir witnesses winter from December to ending February mostly. The three winter months are challenging. Life almost comes to standstill during winter season as one can’t find many people around as it mostly brings misery for people. The maximum temperature occasionally touches 10° Celsius and the minimum temperature comes down to -8° Celsius. The period of 40 days from 21 December to 31 January, also known as ‘ Chilai Kalan’ is considered as the most crucial when if it snows the condition gets even worse. Surroundings become duskier and the bone-chilling cold can make you numb.
In fact winter in Kashmir is challenging. Kashmir thrives in a dreamy surrounding. The entire valley is covered with a blanket of snow. Life comes to a halt during winters as one can’t find too many people around. Stunning escapades loom largely bejeweled with imposing mountain peaks in the backdrop, and partially frozen pine trees cut the picture of a mesmerizing sight around. Winter in Kashmir is divided into three main periods: (1) Chilai Kalaan (2) Chilai Khurud and (3) Chilai Bacha. The first period of chill, called Chilai Kalaan is of 40 days which lasts from 21 December to 31 January. This Period of Chill is considered as the most crucial when if it snows the condition gets even worse. The second period of Chill ( Chilai Khurud) is of 20 days which lasts from 31 January to 19 February. The third and last chilly period ( chilai Bacha) is of 10 days which lasts from 19 February to ending February.
Winter of the Valley this Year: This year the winter months mostly remained warm except few spells of light snowfall. It can be said the weather was not different from what we witness in Jammu during winters. But sudden change in weather from 22 February evening left people stunned. As the people woke up on 23 February morning, they witnessed that the surroundings were covered by thick layer of white snow. It snowed heavily across the valley of Kashmir. At most places more than 1 feet of snow were recorded. Suddenly life came to standstill. The people of the valley were planning to put away Kangaries, electric blankets, heaters and other heating devices but the heavy spell of snow is now forcing us to reconsider our decisions and make us think …….. Let us not forget our winters! The sudden and undesirable snowfall brought miseries. Power supply system was broken down. Remote places are still cut off from main urban centres. The melting of snow now results in water lodging in many areas. Business activities have been suspended as well. It makes us to remember about the myth of break of periods of winter months ……
(1) Chilai Kalaan (2) Chilai Khurud and (3) Chilai Bacha.
If the period of Chilai Kalan is long and period of severe winter, we should not forget the intensity of other two periods. The period of Chilai Bacha , though is short and that of 10 days only but when it comes to show the power of severity it can prove severe as well.
( The author is a teacher at Govt High School Brakpora Anantnag. Views are his own)
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