Srinagar, December 20: Ahead of the commencement of the 40-day ‘Chillai Kalan,’ the relentless grip of bitter cold intensified in Kashmir on Wednesday. According to a statement from the Meteorological (MeT) office, Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of minus 4.4 degrees Celsius.
The freezing conditions extended to other regions as well, with Gulmarg and Pahalgam registering minimum temperatures of minus 4.4 and minus 6.3, respectively. In the Ladakh region, Leh town reported a bone-chilling minus 14.3, while Kargil and Drass recorded minimums of minus 12.6 and minus 13, respectively.
The statement provided additional temperature details for various locations, indicating that Jammu city experienced 6.4 degrees Celsius, Katra 6.5, Batote 5, Bhaderwah 1.4, and Banihal 5.4 as the lowest temperatures of the night.
The looming onset of the 40-day ‘Chillai Kalan’ marks the initiation of an extended period of severe winter cold, scheduled to begin on Thursday and persist until January 30. As Kashmir braces for this annual weather phenomenon, residents and authorities are gearing up to face the challenges posed by the harsh winter conditions.