SRINAGAR: All roads in the higher reaches of Kashmir were closed on Tuesday following a forecast of rain and snowfall across Jammu and Kashmir over the next two days, beginning Tuesday afternoon, according to the Meteorological (MeT) Department.
The MeT has predicted snowfall in higher elevations and rain in the plains. Travellers and transporters have been advised to strictly adhere to advisories issued by the Traffic Department and district administrations.
As a precautionary measure, authorities have suspended traffic on the Srinagar–Leh highway, Sinthan Pass in Anantnag district, Margan Pass linking the Valley with Kishtwar district of Jammu, and the Mughal Road connecting Kashmir with the Jammu division. Traffic on the Srinagar–Jammu National Highway, however, continues to ply.
Minimum temperatures recorded across the region included Srinagar at 1°C, Gulmarg at minus 1.6°C, and Pahalgam at minus 1.2°C. In the Jammu region, Jammu city recorded a low of 8.6°C, Katra 9.8°C, Batote 7.7°C, Banihal 5°C, and Bhaderwah 3.8°C.
The 40-day harsh winter period known as Chillai Kalan began on December 21 and will continue until January 30. This period is crucial for Kashmir as heavy snowfall during Chillai Kalan replenishes perennial water reservoirs in the mountains, which sustain rivers, streams, springs, and lakes during the summer months.
Snowfall after Chillai Kalan tends to melt quickly and contributes little to long-term water storage. For this reason, the first snowfall of Chillai Kalan is traditionally celebrated in Kashmir, with people exchanging greetings and hosting feasts.
So far, the plains of the Kashmir Valley have not received the season’s first snowfall. Meanwhile, water scarcity has already begun to affect several areas, with rivers, streams, springs, and wells flowing at critically low levels.
