Kashmir under grip of ‘Chilai Kalan’
Currently, Kashmir is under the grip of 40 days of harshest winter known as ‘Chilai Kalan’, a period in winter when the mercury touches the below freezing point and the cold wave intensifies. “The rain and snow is required because the weather has been dry so far. It will impact the water table in summers if it doesn’t rain or snow soon,” the Met official said.
Srinagar: After more than a month of prolonged dry weather, rain and snow was predicted in the Valley between January 28 and 29, officials of the Meteorological (Met) Department said.
The official said the department was monitoring the weather situation, as the winter had been dry so far.
“Between January 28 and 29, rain and snow is expected,” the official said.
The cold wave intensified further in the Valley on Wednesday as the gap between the maximum and minimum temperatures narrowed down both in the winter and summer capital.
“The chill increases when the gap between the maximum and minimum temperatures narrows. The maximum temperature in Jammu on Tuesday was 13.5 degrees Celsius and the minimum on Wednesday was 6 degrees Celsius. Similarly in Srinagar it was 7.1 degrees Celsius and the minimum was – 4.3 degrees Celsius,” the official said.
On January 30 Met has predicted rain in the Valley.
The weather was, however, expected to improve from Wednesday and the day temperatures were again expected to rise on Thursday and Friday, an Met official said.
The minimum temperature was – 5.9 degrees Celsius in Pahalgam and -8 degrees Celsius in Gulmarg on Wednesday.
The officials said on January 25, 26 and 27, the weather would mainly remain dry.
“The rain and snow is required because the weather has been dry so far. It will impact the water table in summers if it doesn’t rain or snow soon,” the official said.
Currently, Kashmir is under the grip of 40 days of harshest winter known as ‘Chilai Kalan’, a period in winter when the mercury touches the below freezing point and the cold wave intensifies.
The day temperature also dips drastically, freezing most of the water bodies, including the Dal Lake.