[Watch] Snowfall Begins In Kashmir As Valley’s Harshest Winter Period Sets In

Srinagar: The 40-day harsh winter period known as Chillai Kalan commenced in Kashmir amid reports of snowfall. Fresh spell of snowfall was reported in Gulmarg, Sonmarg, Gurez and other hilly areas on Sunday. Heavy snow was also reported in Drass and Kargil.

Heavy snowfall in higher reaches led to the temporary suspension of traffic on the Srinagar–Leh national highway, officials said, as quoted by CNBC TV 18. It will continue till Jan 31. The plains witnessed rain, reported TOI. Meanwhile, the social media was flooded with snowfall videos from Kashmir.

Check out the snowfall posts here:

After a long drought, snowfall has started in the high mountainous areas of Azad #Kashmir, including the #NeelumValley, and rain has started in other cities, including Muzaffarabad. Rain, #snowfall will reduce air pollution while forest fires will also be extinguished
Alhamdullah pic.twitter.com/5DyOyWrM2U

— Amiruddin Mughal (@MughalAmiruddin) December 21, 2025

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Nano Banana Pro prompt
8K ultra-realistic cinematic scene of Chillai Kalan in Kashmir (21 December–31 January), heavy snowfall covering roads and rivers, frozen streams, snow blanketed bridges, Kashmiri people walking carefully in woolen pherans, kangri warmth visible, breath… pic.twitter.com/d0U0MJfeho

— Milo (@Milo_Bahi_02) December 21, 2025

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Marking the coldest phase of winter in the valley, this period experiences sub-zero temperatures, intense cold waves, frozen water bodies and frequent snowfall.

Earlier on Saturday, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had said administration was fully prepared to handle the snowfall during Chillai Kalan, PTI reported. He had chaired a review meeting on winter preparedness for both the Jammu region and the Kashmir Valley. Abdullah said all necessary arrangements had been put in place.