1 / 8Kashmir's severe winter phase, known as 'Chillai Kalan', commenced last Thursday (December 14) as temperatures plummeted significantly below freezing at various locations, according to officials. On Tuesday (December 19), Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, experienced a frigid low of -4.3 degrees Celsius, a drop from the preceding night's temperature of -3.7 degrees Celsius. (Image: PTI)
2 / 8Pahalgam, located in the Anantnag district of south Kashmir and serving as a key base camp for the yearly Amarnath Yatra, registered a minimum temperature of -5.8 degrees Celsius, according to officials. Meanwhile, the renowned ski resort of Gulmarg in Baramulla district reported a low of -3.0 degrees Celsius, the PTI reported. (Image: Reuters)
3 / 8Qazigund witnessed a minimum temperature of -4.0 degrees Celsius, Kokernag town registered a mercury level of -3.0 degrees Celsius, and Kupwara reported a low of -4.0 degrees Celsius. The weather forecast indicates generally dry conditions in Kashmir for the upcoming days. (Image: PTI)
4 / 8The decrease in temperature has led to the solidification of numerous sluggish water bodies and the freezing of water supply pipes in certain regions. The severe cold wave has compelled city residents to don additional layers of clothing in order to combat the chill. (Image: PTI)
5 / 8Due to irregular electricity supply in various parts of Kashmir, residents have turned to Kangri, a traditional earthen firepot, to combat the cold. The decrease in temperature has contributed to a rise in respiratory issues among both children and the elderly. (Image: AP)
6 / 8'Chillai Kalan' spans a challenging 40-day winter period characterized by a severe cold wave, causing a substantial drop in temperatures. This leads to the freezing of prominent water bodies like Dal Lake and water supply lines across various parts of the valley. The likelihood of snowfall is highest during this period, with heavy snowfall being particularly common in elevated areas. (Image: Reuters)
7 / 8To steer clear of common illnesses such as flu, cough, and cold, people opt to stay indoors for longer durations. In the past, residents of the valley coped with the scarcity of fresh vegetables in winter by resorting to the consumption of dried vegetables, especially when the Srinagar-Jammu route was frequently closed due to heavy snowfall. Although dried vegetables remain a culinary delight, the route to Jammu experiences fewer closures nowadays. (Image: Reuters)
8 / 8'Chillai-Kalan' will end on January 31. The cold wave continues even after that in Kashmir with a 20-day-long 'Chillai-Khurd' (small cold) and a 10-day-long 'Chillai-Bachha' (baby cold). (Image: Reuters)
