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Chillai Kalan Ends, Tourists Flock to Kashmir's Snowy Gulmarg & Sonamarg

The severe 40-day winter period known as 'Chillai Kalan' is ending in Jammu and Kashmir, having brought the season's first snowfall to the valley. Despite sub-zero temperatures and avalanche warnings issued for several districts, tourist destinations like Gulmarg and Sonamarg are reporting high hotel occupancy. Key mountain passes and roads remain blocked due to heavy snowfall, though the Srinagar-Jammu highway has reopened. Authorities have deployed disaster response teams following an avalanche in Sonamarg and continue to urge caution in higher reaches.

Key Points: Kashmir's Chillai Kalan Ends, Avalanche Warnings Issued

  • 40-day 'Chillai Kalan' ends Jan 30
  • Tourists flock to Gulmarg & Sonamarg
  • Avalanche warnings in 3 districts
  • Key highways remain blocked
2 min read

J&K's 40-day 'Chillai Kalan' ends on Jan 30; tourists throng Gulmarg, Sonamarg

The 40-day harsh winter period ends in J&K. Tourists throng Gulmarg & Sonamarg despite avalanche warnings and sub-zero temperatures.

J&K's 40-day 'Chillai Kalan' ends on Jan 30; tourists throng Gulmarg, Sonamarg
"The chances of avalanches remain very high due to prevailing weather conditions. - Ganderbal Police"

Srinagar, Jan 29

The night temperature throughout Kashmir dropped notches below the freezing point on Thursday, while the ski resort of Gulmarg recorded minus 9 degrees Celsius as the minimum temperature.

Srinagar city had minus 0.6 degrees Celsius, and Pahalgam had a minimum temperature of minus 4.5.

Jammu city had 7.2 degrees Celsius, Katra town 6.4, Batote 0.9, Banihal minus 2.6 and Bhaderwah minus 3.4.

The Meteorological (MeT) Department has forecast generally dry, cloudy weather till January 31 evening. On February 1 and 2, generally cloudy weather with light to moderate rain/snow at scattered to fairly widespread places is predicted.

Dry weather has been forecast from February 3 to 6.

Authorities in Ganderbal, Bandipora and Kupwara districts have issued avalanche warnings in the higher reaches of these districts and advised people living there to exercise extreme caution.

The advisory comes in the wake of an avalanche in Sonamarg on Tuesday. While no loss of life or property was reported, police and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams were deployed immediately to assess the damage.

Ganderbal Police said the chances of avalanches remain "very high" due to prevailing weather conditions.

The Srinagar-Jammu national highway was restored for 2-way traffic on Wednesday, and travellers have been advised to follow lane discipline to avoid jams.

The Srinagar-Leh and the Mughal Road continue to remain blocked due to heavy snowfall in Zojila Pass and Pir Ki Gali.

Sinthan Pass leading to Kishtwar district of Jammu division from Anantnag and Razdan Pass leading to Gurez Valley in Bandipora district also remain closed.

The flight operations at Srinagar International Airport were resumed on Wednesday.

The 40-day period of harsh winter cold known locally as the 'Chillai Kalan', which started on December 21, will end on Friday. Towards the end of the Chillai Kalan, J&K received a good measure of snow in the higher reaches and rain in the plains of Jammu division, while Srinagar city and other major towns of the Valley received the season's first snowfall recently.

Fresh snowfall has thrilled tourists with reports of 100 per cent occupancy in hotels in Gulmarg and 70 per cent occupancy in Sonamarg hill station.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priyanka N
The end of Chillai Kalan is always a relief for the locals, even if it's beautiful for us to see in pictures. My heart goes out to the people living in those higher reaches with the avalanche threat. The authorities seem proactive with the warnings, which is good. Stay safe, everyone.
D
David E
Visiting from the UK and was in Gulmarg last week. The scenery is absolutely breathtaking, like a postcard. But the cold is no joke! The infrastructure for tourists is impressive, but the road closures are a serious hurdle for travel planning. They need better all-weather connectivity.
A
Ananya R
As someone from Mumbai, I can't even imagine -0.6°C! 😅 It's fascinating to read about our own country's diverse climate. The snowfall data and forecasts are very detailed. Makes you appreciate the work of the Met department and disaster response teams in such harsh conditions. Jai Hind!
S
Suresh O
Good to see the highway restored. The blockade of the Srinagar-Leh road is an annual headache for Ladakh's supply chain. While tourism is booming in Gulmarg, we must not forget the residents of remote areas like Gurez Valley who are cut off. Hope essential supplies are being airlifted.
K
Kavya N
The contrast in temperatures across J&K is striking! Jammu at 7°C and Gulmarg at -9°C. It's like two different worlds within one union territory. The first snowfall in Srinagar must have been magical. Wishing all the tourists a wonderful and safe experience. Kashmir truly is paradise on earth.

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