New Delhi, Dec. 21 -- A blanket of snow covered several Gulmarg on Sunday morning after a fresh spell marking the onset of Chillai Kalan. Videos of the fresh snowfall in the hill station of Baramulla district show the landscape covered in shades of white. Forecasting moderate to heavy snowfall in the higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir, India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a yellow alert for both Kashmir and Jammu division.

This snowfall marks the beginning of the 40-day harsh winter period in Kashmir which ends on January 31. One of the major wet spells of this winter season comes after a prolonged dry spell. The IMD warned against moderate to heavy snowfall in Kupwara, Bandipora and Ganderbal on December 21.

On 20 December, Gu...