Jammu: Snowfall in the higher reaches and rain across the plains marked the beginning of Chillai-Kalan — Kashmir’s 40-day harshest winter period — on Sunday, bringing much-needed relief from a prolonged dry spell, even as minimum temperatures rose sharply across the Valley.
Srinagar recorded its warmest night of the winter season, with the mercury settling at 4 degrees Celsius — six notches above the seasonal average. Officials attributed the unusual rise in night temperatures to overcast skies accompanying the precipitation.
Except for Gulmarg, which recorded a sub-zero minimum of minus 1.5 degrees Celsius, all other weather stations in the Valley remained above freezing. Pahalgam and several other locations reported minimum temperatures ranging between 2.5 degrees Celsius and 3.8 degrees Celsius.
The higher reaches witnessed significant snowfall. Gulmarg received nearly two inches of snow, while Sonamarg along the Srinagar-Kargil highway experienced continuous snowfall through the morning.
Sithan Top, connecting the Tangdhar sector with the Kashmir Valley, recorded around six inches of snow since Saturday night.
Light to moderate rain was reported in Srinagar and other parts of the Valley, ending an over one-and-a-half-month-long dry spell that had led to a rise in respiratory ailments, particularly among children and the elderly.
Locally, snowfall and rain on the first day of Chillai-Kalan are considered a good omen, signalling a healthy winter ahead after last year’s dry season that severely affected residents and the tourism sector.
However, the weather also disrupted connectivity. The Mughal Road, linking Poonch and Rajouri districts with south Kashmir’s Shopian, and the Sinthan Top road connecting Kishtwar and Doda with Anantnag were closed as a precaution due to snowfall in high-altitude areas. More than three inches of snow was recorded at Peer Ki Gali on the Mughal Road.
Three tea vendors stranded in the Peer Ki Gali area were rescued in a joint operation by the police and the Border Roads Organisation. Officials said the individuals were safely evacuated despite poor visibility and challenging weather conditions.
The 270-kilometre Jammu-Srinagar national highway — the Valley’s only all-weather road — remained operational despite intermittent rainfall.
The meteorological department has forecast moderate to heavy snowfall in the higher reaches and light to moderate precipitation in the plains over the next 48 hours. Police have urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel in vulnerable areas and stay updated with official weather advisories.
Meanwhile, in view of dense fog prevailing across several areas over the past two days, Traffic Police Rural Jammu on Saturday issued a detailed traffic advisory, warning commuters of poor visibility and heightened risk of road accidents and congestion.
According to the advisory issued by SSP Traffic Rural Jammu, motorists have been advised to exercise maximum caution while driving in foggy conditions. Drivers have been urged to use low-beam headlights or fog lights instead of high beams, reduce speed, and maintain a safe following distance of at least 4-6 seconds. The advisory also stresses the importance of keeping headlights on, windshields clean, and using defrosters to avoid internal fogging.
Traffic Police further advised commuters to strictly follow traffic signs, lane markings, reflectors and cautionary signages, maintain lane discipline, avoid unnecessary overtaking, sudden braking or sharp turns, and remain alert for pedestrians, cyclists and slow-moving vehicles. Extra caution has been advised at junctions, flyovers, highway exits and interchanges.
Motorists have also been asked to avoid non-essential travel during extremely poor visibility, allow extra travel time, keep mobile phones charged for emergencies, and use indicators well in advance while braking gently.
For assistance or information, commuters can contact Traffic Police Rural Jammu through the official helpline numbers or email. Traffic Police Rural Jammu reiterated its appeal to the public to prioritize safety and cooperate to prevent accidents during foggy weather conditions.
