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Kashmir's Snowless Chillai Kalan Sparks Water Worries as Forecast Hints at Relief

The traditional harsh winter period of Chillai Kalan is nearing its end in Kashmir with a concerning lack of snowfall, leaving rivers and springs at their lowest levels. This dry spell has heightened anxieties among farmers and the general public about water scarcity for the coming summer months. The MET department has forecast widespread moderate to heavy rain and snow, offering potential relief but also warning of travel disruptions. Temperatures remain below freezing in many areas, underscoring the unusual absence of snow despite the cold.

Key Points: Kashmir Awaits Snow as Dry Chillai Kalan Nears End

  • Chillai Kalan ends Jan 30 with minimal snow
  • Water bodies at critically low levels
  • Agriculture and tourism sectors worried
  • Weather forecast predicts relief snowfall
  • Transport disruptions expected
2 min read

As 'Chillai Kalan' nears its end, people of Kashmir with bated breath for snowfall

With Chillai Kalan ending soon, Kashmir faces a snowless winter, causing water scarcity and agricultural concerns. A snowfall forecast brings hope.

"the coming days and months are going to be troublesome for people living in J&K"

Srinagar, Jan 21

Barely 9 days left for the 40-day-long 'Chillai Kalan' to end, people in Kashmir are waiting with bated breath for the weatherman's forecast of moderate to heavy snowfall beginning Thursday afternoon.

Srinagar city and other plain areas of the Valley are yet to receive this season's first snowfall. The 40-day-long period of harsh winter cold, known as the 'Chillai Kalan', which brings heavy snowfall to sustain various water bodies during the hot summer months, will end on January 30.

No major snowfall has occurred in the higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir so far, and this has added to the worries of agriculturists, horticulturists, and the general public.

The weather has mostly been dry since the beginning of Chillai Kalan on December 21.

Except for some snowfall in the higher reaches, the reports from mountainous areas of J&K are also worrisome. Rivers, streams, springs, etc., are running at their lowest, and some of the floating palaces called the houseboats on the river Jhelum have already been 'grounded' because of very low discharge in the river.

Thousands of springs sustaining hamlets in the Valley are flowing at a bare minimum, and unless the MET department forecast of moderate to heavy rain/snow beginning tomorrow afternoon proves correct, the coming days and months are going to be troublesome for people living in J&K.

The MET department has issued an advisory predicting widespread rain/snow from January 22 afternoon, which is expected to peak on January 23.

Disruption of air and surface transport has also been forecast during this period, and tourists and transporters have been advised to plan their journey accordingly.

Srinagar city had a minimum of minus 2.4 on Wednesday, while Gulmarg and Pahalgam had minus 5 and minus 3.8 degrees Celsius, respectively.

Jammu city had 7.2, Katra town 7.6, Batote 2.5, Banihal minus 2.3, and Bhaderwah minus 1.8 degrees Celsius as the minimum temperature.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
It's not just about tourism or pretty pictures. My family in Srinagar says the springs near their village are almost dry. This is a serious issue for daily survival. Hope the snow arrives soon.
R
Rohit P
Every year we see these patterns changing. Is this another sign of climate change impacting our Himalayas? We need long-term water management plans, not just prayers for snow.
S
Sarah B
Visiting Gulmarg next week! A bit nervous about travel disruptions but completely understand the need for this snowfall. The locals and the environment need it far more than my holiday plans. Stay safe, everyone.
V
Vikram M
The article mentions houseboats being grounded. That's the tourism industry taking a hit already. It's a chain effect – no snow affects water, which affects agriculture, tourism, everything. A tough situation for our Kashmiri brothers and sisters.
K
Karthik V
While I hope the snowfall happens, I have to say the MET department's forecasts have been off before. Let's hope they get it right this time. The people there are waiting with "bated breath," as the article says.

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