Representative image (Picture credit: ANI)
NEW DELHI: The higher reaches of Kashmir witnessed fresh snowfall while the plains received rain on Sunday, bringing relief to residents as Chillai-Kalan, the Valley’s harshest 40-day winter period, set in after a prolonged dry spell, as per PTI.Officials said snowfall was reported from the Gulmarg tourist resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, where around two inches of snow had accumulated.In Sonamarg, located on the Srinagar–Kargil highway, snowfall began early Sunday morning and continued till the last reports were received. Sadhna Top, the mountain pass connecting the Tangdhar sector along the Line of Control with the rest of the Kashmir Valley, recorded moderate snowfall, with about six inches accumulating since Saturday night.Light rainfall was also reported overnight in Srinagar and other parts of the Valley and continued intermittently through Sunday, officials said. The weather department has forecast an increase in snowfall and rain across Kashmir over the next 48 hours. The precipitation has brought much-needed relief after an extended dry spell that had led to a rise in common ailments such as cough and cold, particularly among children and the elderly. The rain and snow on the first day of Chillai-Kalan are traditionally considered a good omen by locals and seen as a sign of ample snowfall in the coming weeks.Authorities said preparations were in place to deal with heavy snowfall, with arrangements reviewed for roads, power and water supply, health services and essential commodities. “I took a review of both divisions, especially areas where it is expected to snow, all districts in the Valley and the higher reaches of Jammu. The administration has finalised all preparations, but, whether that would suffice, will only be known after tomorrow when it starts to snow,” CM Omar Abdullah said on Saturday.Despite possible hardships, the snowfall is expected to improve air quality and give a boost to winter tourism, which had suffered last year due to a largely dry winter.”Even if we face some hardships due to the snow, I do not think anyone should complain because we have been eagerly awaiting snowfall. It will clear the air, mitigate pollution, and kick off the winter tourism season,” he added.Chillai-Kalan, also known as the “big cold”, will continue until January 30, after which the Valley will enter the milder Chillai-Khurd and Chillai-Bacha phases.
