CHILLAI KHURD KICKS OFF | J&K, Ladakh brace for snowfall

Srinagar, Jan 30: While the mercury took a dip, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are gearing up for a spell of light to moderate snowfall in the next 24 hours, senior Meteorologist Sonam Lotus said Tuesday.

Lotus said that the higher reaches of J&K and Ladakh would very likely receive heavy spells of snowfall.

“Snowfall very likely to commence at many places of #Ladakh N #JammuKashmir from evening onwards reaching Peak tonight & tomo. Moderate to Hvy Snowfall will occur over higher reaches of Ladakh & Very Hvy over higher reaches of Kashmir & Jmu,” Lotus posted on X.

Parts of Kashmir, especially higher reaches, have witnessed light to moderate precipitation in the last four days.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) officials said that three new Western Disturbances following each other in quick succession would be affecting North India in the
coming days.

These form over the Mediterranean Sea and travel eastwards, bringing rains across Northwest India.

“Up to moderate, widespread rainfall and snowfall has been forecast over Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh,” they said. “Snowfall is highly likely in places like Baramulla, Ganderbal, Kupwara, Bandipora, Shopian, Kulgam, and Anantnag districts till tomorrow.”

TEMPERATURES

The night temperatures witnessed a further drop on Tuesday, marking the commencement of the 20-day Chillai Khurd.
Despite the decrease in temperature, the readings stayed above normal for this time of the year.

In the last 24 hours till 8:30 am, Gulmarg skiing resort in north Kashmir received 3.5 cm of snow while Kupwara recorded 3.3 mm of rain, the MeT officials said.
Srinagar recorded a low of 0.8 degrees Celsius, compared to 3.6 degrees Celsius the previous night, remaining 1.8 degrees Celsius above normal.
Qazigund, the gateway town of Kashmir, recorded a minimum of 0.4 degrees Celsius, which was 3 degrees Celsius above normal.

Pahalgam resort in south Kashmir experienced a low of minus 3.3 degrees Celsius against 0.7 degrees Celsius the previous night, with temperatures 2.8 degrees Celsius above normal.
Kokernag in south Kashmir and Kupwara in the north recorded above normal temperatures.

Gulmarg skiing destination recorded a low of minus 6 degrees Celsius against minus 3.2 degrees Celsius the previous night with temperatures 1.5 degrees Celsius above normal.
Jammu recorded a minimum of 8.5 degrees Celsius, slightly below normal by 0.2 degrees Celsius.

Banihal recorded a low of 1.2 degrees Celsius, Batote 3.3 degrees Celsius, and Bhaderwah 1 degrees Celsius.

While the harsh 40-day winter period, Chillai Kalan, concluded on January 29, it marks the beginning of Chillai Khurd, a 20-day period from January 30 to February 18 that would be followed by Chillai Bacha from February 19 to February 28.