After a brief spell of relief, biting cold conditions have once again tightened their grip on Srinagar and much of the Kashmir Valley. The temporary warmth that followed snowfall in the higher reaches and intermittent rainfall in the plains has faded.

On Thursday morning, Srinagar woke up to sub-zero temperatures, recording a minimum of minus 2.2 degrees Celsius. Residents turned to traditional kangris, charcoal-fired heaters, to keep warm, while tourists wrapped themselves in heavy winter clothing as icy winds swept through the city.

Hopes of a white Christmas in Srinagar have now largely faded, with no immediate signs of snowfall in the city or most parts of the Valley. However, Gulmarg remains blanketed in snow, continuing to attract visitors keen to witness a classic winter landscape.

Despite the chill, locals remain hopeful that snowfall will arrive during Chillai Kalan, the harshest 40-day phase of winter that began on 21 December. This period is typically marked by heavy snowfall and prolonged sub-zero temperatures, often freezing water bodies and disrupting daily life.

Even as Chillai Kalan brings severe conditions, there is optimism that it will also usher in snow, rain, and a boost to winter tourism across the Valley.