In pictures: Snowfall in J-K as region enters Chilla-e-Kalan period, tourists flock on New Year

A view of mountains covered in fresh snow at Bhaderwah in Doda, after overnight snowfall in higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir as clear skies led to a drop in minimum temperatures across the region. Bhaderwah is also known as “Mini Kashmir” (ANI Video Grab)

A view of the snow-covered area in the Kashmir Valley at Sonamarg in Ganderbal on Friday, one of the tourist resorts that received overnight snowfall earlier in the week amid the ongoing Chilla-e-Kalan cold wave. (ANI Photo)

A truck wades through the snow-covered area in the Kashmir Valley at Sonamarg in Ganderbal on Friday, following snowfall in higher reaches as minimum temperatures dipped. (ANI Photo)

A view of the snow-covered area in the Kashmir Valley at Sonamarg in Ganderbal, where fresh snowfall was recorded on Wednesday night while weather is expected to remain largely dry in the coming days. (ANI Photo)

Tourists enjoy a fresh spell of snowfall during their visit to the Kashmir Valley at Sonamarg in Ganderbal on Friday, as popular resorts witnessed snow even though plains of the valley remain snow-free this season. (ANI Photo)

Fresh snowfall blankets the area near the Machail Bhawan Temple in Kishtwar district on Wednesday, as higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir received snow. (PTI Photo)

Personnel of the Romeo Force of the Indian Army carry out intensified search operations in the Pir Panjal ranges of Poonch above 13,000 feet, despite heavy snowfall during the ongoing Chilla-e-Kalan period. (ANI Video Grab)

'Chilla-e-Kalan' is a 40-day period of extreme cold, and during this phase, night temperatures typically drop several degrees below the freezing point. (ANI Photo)

Tourists enjoy a fresh spell of snowfall in Sonamarg on Monday, one of the key tourist destinations that received overnight snow earlier this week. (ANI Photo)

Tourists visit the snow-laden Kongdori on New Year’s Eve in Gulmarg, Baramulla district, one of the coldest places in the region with temperatures dropping well below freezing. (PTI Photo)

Tourists pose for photographs near a ‘Happy New Year 2026’ message scribbled on snow at Kongdori in Gulmarg. (PTI Photo)

Tourists pose for photographs near a snowman at Kongdori in Gulmarg. (PTI Photo)

A view of snow from a ski resort in Gulmarg on Wednesday, as the hill station recorded the lowest temperatures in the region amid clear skies. (ANI Photo)

A view of a cable car amid a snow-covered landscape on the eve of the New Year in Gulmarg, where minimum temperatures plunged amid forecasts of largely dry weather ahead. (ANI Photo)

A security official stands guard as tourists visit the snow-laden Kongdori, in Gulmarg, Baramullah district. (PTI Photo)