Srinagar | WTNS | Dec 26::Winter has started in Kashmir once again. From December 21, the forty days of severe cold called Chillai-Kalan begin. Every year people know what this means. It means frozen water pipes, blocked roads, power cuts, and staying indoors for long hours. This year too, the weather department has said that there will be snowfall and rain from December 20 to 23. Srinagar has already seen the coldest night of this season. The cold has come quietly, but everyone knows it will soon become harder.
Agha Syed Amin Musvi | Wilayat Times
In many places the river Jhelum is running low. In Pampore, people were seen taking sand from the dry riverbed in heavy fog. This is a common winter scene in Kashmir. Life does not stop, but it becomes slow and difficult. When snow falls, the beauty increases, but problems also increase.
The government says it is prepared for the winter. Meetings have been held and plans have been made. The Chief Minister said that snowfall is good for tourism and that many tourists may visit places like Gulmarg, Sonamarg, and Pahalgam. Tourism had suffered badly this year after the Pahalgam attack, and people hope that winter tourism will help them earn again. Snow is good for business, but it is also dangerous if roads are not cleared on time.
The government has warned people about traffic problems. Heavy vehicles have been stopped on some roads, especially on the way to Gulmarg. In south Kashmir, roads like Sinthan Top and Margan Top may close due to snow and poor visibility. People have been advised not to travel unless it is very necessary. Helicopter services have been promised for far-off areas like Kupwara and Bandipora if they get cut off.
The Chief Minister has said that three things are most important during winter: clearing roads, supplying electricity, and providing drinking water. If any one of these fails, people suffer badly. Hospitals become hard to reach, students cannot attend classes, and daily life becomes a struggle. The government says it is ready, but people will believe this only when winter becomes harsh and services still work.
The Handicrafts Department celebrated ‘Pheran Day’ in Srinagar. The pheran is a traditional woollen dress worn by Kashmiris in winter. It helps people stay warm. It is part of Kashmiri culture and shows how people have learned to live with the cold.
Chillai-Kalan does not care about promises or meetings. It comes every year and tests everything. It shows whether the roads will stay open, whether the lights will stay on, and whether water will flow in taps. For the people of Kashmir, winter is not something new. They have lived through it many times. They only hope that this time, when the snow falls, the system will not fail them again.
