The MET office in Srinagar has forecast rain and snowfall in Jammu and Kashmir in the next 24 hours, officials said.
Additionally, the intense cold wave continued in the valley on Friday as Srinagar recorded -7.3 degrees Celsius.
The prolonged dry spell has caused serious concerns among the farming community and orchardists, as precipitation is likely to adversely affect both the prospects of good Rani Crops and apple production in the next year.
Farooq Ahmad Sheikh, a resident of Chandhara hamlet located near Pampore town associated with saffron farming, said, “The saffron production this year has greatly been affected by the long dry spell. There was no rainfall when it was most needed during the cultivation phase, which affected the production outcome along with the quality of the world's most expensive spice.”
Showket Dar, an orchardist from Pulwama, said, “Similar weather conditions prevailed last year as well when a prolonged dry spell continued for months before it finally ended in January 2024.”
The 40-day-long period of intense winter cold called the ‘Chillai Kalan’ is the period of heavy snowfall that replenishes the perennial water reservoirs of J&K.
During the ongoing Chillai Kalan period, cold wave conditions have intensified, bringing life in the Kashmir Valley to a standstill.
A snowless winter spells disaster as it results in extreme water shortages during the summer months.
Furthermore, the snowless winter also results in the spread of several seasonal illnesses like cold, flu, and cough.
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