Snowfall in Kashmir, tourists make beeline to enjoy the season

Srinagar: Tourists are thronging the various spots of Kashmir as the region experiences freezing temperatures. Enjoying shikara rides on the Dal Lake, snowfall, and various seasonal activities, even foreign tourists are making a beeline to visit Kashmir in the freezing temperatures. The region is experiencing the weather after two months of dryness. Snowfall in the higher reaches and cloudy skies in the plains pushed the minimum temperatures above the freezing point in most parts here.

Gulmarg, Sonamarg, and more experience snowfall
Officials said snowfall was reported in Gulmarg, Tangmarg, Gurez, Sonamarg, and many areas of Kupwara district. According to the officials, the skies in the plains of Kashmir, including in Srinagar city, are overcast, indicating the possibility of significant rainfall or snow that has eluded the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir so far this winter. The overcast conditions have significantly increased the night temperatures, with Srinagar city recording a low of 3.3 degrees Celsius, a rise of more than five degrees over the previous night. Pahalgam recorded a minimum temperature of minus 0.8 degrees Celsius, Qazigund minus 0.6 degrees Celsius, Kokernag minus 0.1 degrees Celsius, and Kupwara 2.1 degrees Celsius.

Chilla-i-Kalan
Kashmir is currently under the grip of "Chilla-i-Kalan", a 40-day harsh winter period when a cold wave sweeps the region and temperatures drop considerably leading to the freezing of water bodies and water in pipes. 'Chilla-i-Kalan' will end on January 31. However, the cold conditions will continue after that with a 20-day 'Chilla-i-Khurd' (small cold) and a 10-day 'Chilla-i-Bachha' (baby cold).  
(With inputs from PTI)