Chillai Kalan: As the Meteorological Department predicted rain and snow on Saturday, Kashmiris also anticipated the start of the 40-day “Chillai Kalan,” a time of extreme winter cold.

Beginning Saturday evening, the meteorological service predicts moderate to heavy snowfall in J&K’s higher elevations and rain in the plains.

Advisories have been issued by authorities in the districts of Baramulla, Kupwara, and Bandipora urging residents of the higher reaches to stay inside during the anticipated period of heavy snowfall.

The more than two-month dry period that has caused several chest problems across J&K is expected to be broken by rain and snow.

Due to a rise in suspended particle matter (SPM) brought on by the ongoing dry period, the amount of pollutants in the air has significantly increased.

According to pulmonologists, rain and snow will remove the SPM, improving the area’s air quality.

The likelihood of visitors visiting the Gulmarg ski resort for Christmas and New Year’s festivities has been negatively impacted by the lack of snowfall so far this season.

In the past, massive snowfall would refill the water reservoirs in the upper peaks during the 40-day period of extreme winter cold that started on December 21 and ended on January 30.

During the summer, this would support J&K’s many lakes, rivers, and streams. In Kashmir, a good snowfall has always been welcomed since a winter without enough snow would result in drought throughout the summer.

Due to the prolonged dry weather, the majority of the area rivers, streams, springs, and lakes are now running at very low discharge.

In terms of lowest temperatures, Gulmarg recorded 2 degrees, Pahalgam minus 1 degree, and Srinagar – 0.4 degrees Celsius.

The lowest temperatures were 9.3 degrees Celsius in Jammu City, 10 degrees in Katra, the base camp for the Mata Vaishno Devi temple, 9.3 degrees in Batote, 3.8 degrees in Banihal, and 4.4 degrees in Bhaderwah.