Kashmir welcomes Chillai-Kalan with fresh snow and travel advisories
Kashmir welcomes Chillai-Kalan with fresh snow and travel advisories
Snow blankets Kashmir's high peaks as Chillai-Kalan begins; Gulmarg and Sonmarg report snowfall, while Srinagar sees rain and Bandipora road is closed.
The higher reaches of Kashmir woke up to a fresh spell of snowfall as Chillai-Kalan, the 40-day harsh winter, began on Sunday. While the plains saw occasional showers, the mountains were cloaked in white, signaling the onset of the season that runs until January 30. Snow was reported from popular peaks such as Gulmarg, Sonmarg and Sadhna Top, with Srinagar recording light rain overnight.
Authorities in Bandipora closed the 86-km Gurez-Bandipora road amid heavy snowfall and advised travelers to avoid unnecessary journeys. Leh in Ladakh was also seen under a new layer of snow, with rooftops and roads disappearing behind the white blanket. The weather department said the precipitation is likely to intensify in the next 48 hours, bringing more snow to the valley and higher reaches.
For residents, the fresh snowfall ends a prolonged dry spell, which had contributed to a spike in common ailments. The chief minister, Omar Abdullah, said all arrangements were in place to tackle the heavy snowfall and urged people not to view the disruptions as complaints, noting the region had been eagerly awaiting this winter spectacle.
Earlier in the week, snow had already gripped higher passes such as Zojila, Minamarg and Baltal in the Ganderbal district, whetting the appetite of winter tourists. Officials hope the snowfall will boost winter tourism while also signaling a natural reset for air quality in some areas, even as travelers brace for speed limits and road closures in a few routes.
