Srinagar: The 40-day period of harshest winter in Kashmir began on Saturday, a day after Kashmir received fresh bout of snow leading to closure Srinagar-Jammu highway.
The 40-day harshest phase of winter starts from December 21 to January 29. During this phase, Kashmir witnesses freezing temperatures leading to blockage of water taps and water bodies including Dal Lake.
The chances of snow are considerably more during the phase.
The 40-day Chillai Kalan is followed with a 20-day ‘Chillai-Khurd’ (small cold) and a 10-day-long ‘Chillai-Bachha’ (baby cold).
Deputy Director, Meteorological department Dr Mukhtar Ahmad predicted that night temperatures would dip further.
He said that the mercury would stay around minus 4 to 5 degree Celsius during the coming days.
Meanwhile, Srinagar-Jammu highway was closed for vehicular traffic after a fresh landslide blocked the road in Ramban area.
Superintendent of Traffic Police (Rural) Muzaffar Shah said that the highway was re-opened for traffic on Saturday morning after being shut previous evening following snowfall.
However, the 270 kilometre strategic road was closed again after fresh landslide blocked the highway near Digdol around 4:30 pm.
Shah said that 500 stranded vehicles were able to cross the Jawahar Tunnel and reach Srinagar from Jammu.
More than 6,000 trucks are still stranded from Anantnag to Qazigund stretch of the highway for last several days.
The Srinagar- Leh national highway as well as historic 86-km long Mughal road and Anantnag-Kishtwar roads continue to remain closed.
Meanwhile, weather remained dry in Srinagar and elsewhere a day after Valley received fresh bout of snow on Chilla Kalan eve.

Reader correspondent