Snowfall hits Kashmir as 40-day harshest phase of winter begins

The mountains of Kashmir received widespread light snowfall while the plains were lashed by rain on Sunday, coinciding with the onset of Chillai Kalan— the harshest phase of the Valley's winter, officials from the meteorological centre said.

- Ashiq Hussain

In the first major spell of snow this season, several key roads, including the Srinagar-Leh (SSG) Highway and the Mughal Road, were shut, while multiple flights were cancelled at Srinagar International Airport. “This is a respite from the prolonged dry spell. There was much-needed snowfall on the higher reaches and light rain at many places. Current activity will continue till tonight with another brief spell on Monday,” said Mukhtar Ahmad, director of the Meteorological Centre in Srinagar.