Out of Chillai Kalan into Chillai Khurd

Srinagar, Jan 30: Chillai Khurd, the 20-day lesser harsh period of winter in Kashmir, greeted people on Friday.

A day after the curtains were drawn on Chillai Kalan, the 40-day harshest phase of winter, minimum temperatures rose in several parts of Kashmir, even as a series of weak Western Disturbances are set to hit the region again, likely to bring light rain and snow to some areas over the next 10 days.

Temperatures across Kashmir showed a slight improvement on Friday after days of intense cold, though most places continued to record sub-zero temperatures.

Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of 1.3 degrees Celsius on Friday, indicating a slight improvement in weather conditions across Kashmir after days of intense cold.

Pampore recorded 1 degree Celsius, Kulgam 1.1 degrees Celsius, and Anantnag and Budgam both with 0.3 degrees Celsius, hovering just above the freezing point.

However, much of the region continued to experience sub-zero temperatures, with Sonamarg registering the lowest at minus 10.6 degrees Celsius, followed by Gulmarg at minus 9 degrees Celsius, Pahalgam at minus 5.3 degrees Celsius and Rafiabad at minus 4.6 degrees Celsius.

Kupwara recorded minus 3.1 degrees Celsius, Shopian minus 2.6 degrees Celsius, Baramulla minus 1.4 degrees Celsius, Srinagar Airport minus 1.2 degrees Celsius, Awantipora and Sopore both minus 1 degree Celsius also remained under freezing conditions.

In contrast, Jammu recorded a comparatively warmer minimum temperature of 9.3 degrees Celsius.

Officials of the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said that three to four back-to-back feeble Western Disturbances were likely to affect Kashmir from Friday.

“On Friday, there are chances of light rain or snowfall in high-altitude areas of Ganderbal, Anantnag, and Bandipora districts,” an official said.

Another Western Disturbance is expected to approach from Saturday evening, bringing widespread light rain in the plains and snowfall in the higher reaches.

The IMD said a similar feeble system is forecast to affect the region on February 2 and 3, causing light rain in the plains and snowfall in higher-altitude areas.

This will be followed by yet another weak Western Disturbance on February 6 and 7.

The department advised farmers to suspend agricultural activities during this period and urged people to avoid venturing into avalanche-prone areas unnecessarily.