NVI Correspondent
Srinagar, Dec 20 (NVI): As the 40-day-long Chillai-Kalan, the harshest phase of winter, begins, the Kashmir Valley finds itself in the grip of an intense cold wave.
Srinagar recorded a bone-chilling low of -8.5°C, marking the coldest December night in over three decades and the third lowest temperature in December in 133 years, after similar extremes in 1990 and 1934.
South Kashmir witnessed even colder conditions, with Anantnag plunging to -10.5°C, Shopian at -10.4°C, and Pulwama at -10.3°C, while Kulgam recorded -6.8°C. The freezing temperatures have turned parts of the Dal Lake into sheets of ice and brought disruptions to daily life, with frozen water pipes and restricted mobility.
Locals have turned to traditional ways of battling the cold, such as kangris (traditional firepots), as they brace for the prolonged chill. Chillai-Kalan, a Persian term meaning “Major Cold,” lasts from December 21 to January 31, followed by Chillai-Khurd (Small Cold) and Chillai-Bachha (Baby Cold), extending the wintry grip until early March.
While the extreme cold poses challenges, it also plays a crucial role in replenishing the valley’s water resources, ensuring sufficient flow in rivers and streams during the summer months. (News Vibes of India)
