The harsh winter season known as Chillai Kalan has officially begun in Kashmir, with Srinagar recording its coldest December night in five decades. Temperatures plunged to minus 8.5°C, signaling the start of the region’s most severe winter phase, which lasts for 40 days.
In Himachal Pradesh, the local meteorological office has issued a cold wave alert, forecasting heavy snowfall and rain in isolated areas on December 23 and 24, with widespread precipitation expected on December 27. An orange alert has been issued for areas in Una, Hamirpur, Bilaspur, and Mandi until December 24, while a yellow warning for cold waves and ground frost has been declared for Chamba, Kangra, and Kullu until December 25.
Travellers in these regions are advised to take precautions, as dense fog is anticipated in areas like the Bhakra Dam reservoir (Bilaspur) and Balh Valley (Mandi) during early mornings and late nights. Although the weather has been dry over the past 24 hours, cold wave conditions are affecting areas including Una, Mandi, Hamirpur, Chamba, and Sundernagar, with moderate fog observed in Mandi and Bilaspur.
Temperatures in Himachal have dropped significantly, with Tabo in Lahaul and Spiti experiencing a chilling minus 14°C, followed by minus 7.8°C in Kukumseri and minus 6.8°C in Samdho. Other areas like Kalpa, Manali, Palampur, Bhuntar, and Shimla are also facing below-freezing conditions.
The region is grappling with a severe rainfall deficit, having received just 2.3mm of rain since October 1, compared to the usual 66.3mm. This shortfall could impact agriculture and water resources.
Meanwhile, Kashmir’s Chillai Kalan continues to bring extreme cold, with parts of Dal Lake and other water bodies freezing due to the freezing temperatures. The cold wave is expected to last until January 31, followed by a 20-day Chillai-Khurd (small cold) and a 10-day Chillai-Bachha (baby cold) period.
