SRINAGAR: In Kashmir, Chillai-Kalan, 40-day period of extreme cold, began today. Chillai-Kalan begins from December 21 and ends on January 31 next year. It is followed by a 20-day long Chillai-Khurd that occurs between January 31 and February 19 and a 10-day long Chillai-Bachha which is from February 20 to March 2. During Chilai Kalan, the temperatures across the Valley go considerably down and the chances of rains and snowfall happen to be maximum and frequent, while people put on extra layers of clothing to fight the bone-chilling cold.
In Kashmir "Chillai Kalan" is considered to be the severest part of the winter for which people brace up in advance. Pheran, the traditional Kashmiri cloak, is mostly preferred by the people along with a kangri (a traditional firepot) to keep themselves warm. Meanwhile, meteorological official said there are no chances of rains or snow till December 26. He said the minimum temperature in Srinagar dipped to minus 4.8 degrees Celsius on the intervening night of Thursday and Friday as compared to previous night's minus 2.8 degrees.
The sub-zero temperature resulted in partial freezing of Dal Lake in Srinagar and some water bodies elsewhere in the Valley. Leh town recorded minus 14.7 degrees Celsius as against previous night's minus 6.0 degrees Celsius, he said. The minimum temperature in Pahalgam was minus 6.8 degrees Celsius, while in Gulmarg it was minus 5.4 degrees Celsius, the official said.