The Kashmir Valley has donned a pristine white blanket as winter's harshest 40-day phase, Chilla-i-Kalan, kicked off with widespread snowfall and rain, delighting residents weary of prolonged dry spells. Higher reaches like Sonamarg, Gulmarg, Nilgrath, Gurez Valley, Tulail, and Bandipora saw light to moderate snowfall, with about two inches accumulating in Sonamarg and Gulmarg.
Leh also recorded its first seasonal snow, a positive sign for glaciers and water sources. Plains experienced light to moderate rain, making the weather pleasantly cool after months of below-average precipitation—33% less over the past two months, and up to 71% deficit in Bandipora.
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While the snow rejuvenates winter tourism, apple orchards, saffron fields, and water reserves, it has disrupted travel. The Srinagar-Leh highway is closed due to heavy snow at Baltal, Meenmarg, and Zojila Pass. Mughal Road remains shut from ice on Peer Ki Gali, and the Gurez-Bandipora road is blocked by slippery conditions.
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Heavy snowfall has blanketed Kashmir's iconic tourist spots like Gulmarg and Sonmarg, turning them into winter wonderlands and drawing crowds of delighted visitors. Tourists reveled in the "white magic," capturing the pristine beauty of snow-draped mountains and pine forests against a crisp blue sky. Families and adventure seekers thronged the meadows, indulging in snowball fights, and posing for selfies amid the fresh powder.
For many first-time visitors, the experience proved magical, with wide-eyed awe at the majestic vistas unfolding before them. "It's like stepping into a postcard," gushed one excited traveler from Delhi, while others from across India shared the same views, praising the mesmerising beauty of snow clad valley.
The Met Centre Srinagar forecasts generally cloudy skies on December 22 with light rain/snow at scattered places in the afternoon. Expect partly to generally cloudy weather until December 29, followed by possible light rain/snow around December 30 to January 1, and more clouds into early January. Moderate to dense fog is likely over Jammu plains for the next seven days.
Chilla-i-Kalan, meaning "the great chill" in Persian, runs from December 21 to January 31, with sub-zero temperatures blanketing the valley. It will be followed by the milder 20-day Chilla-i-Khurd. Locals hope this timely snowfall signals bountiful reserves after two lean years. Official’s have advised travellers and transporters to must follow traffic/admin advisories amid road closures due to snow accumulation and fog.
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