Srinagar 21 December (KNB): With Chillai Kalan, a 40 day long harsh period of winter, starts from today in Kashmir valley during which dropping of temperature below zero degrees makes the span of time the coldest of ones.
As the Chillai Kalan gets the ball rolling in Kashmir, the freezing of streams, lakes, rivers, ponds is not an unheard of. The temperature falls to the low and cold gets severe across the length and breath of Kashmir.
As per Kashmir News Bureau report, Srinagar recorded a low of minus 4.0 degrees Celsius last night, means an increase in temperature from minus 6.2 degrees Celsius recorded day before last.
Meanwhile, the mercury in Qazigund in south Kashmir was at a low of minus 4.6 degrees Celsius, nearly one degree up from minus 5.7 degrees Celsius recorded the night before, while Kokernag town recorded a low of minus 3.9 degrees Celsius last night.
Officials further revealed that Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 6.4 degrees Celsius last night, means an increase of 1.1 degrees Celsius compared to the previous night before lasts temperature. The Famous Ski resort recorded the lowest temperature in the valley.
The report further revealed that the night temperature in Pahalgam rose from minus 7.7 degree Celsius to minus 4.6 degree Celsius. While, Jammu city recorded 5.8, Katra 7.0, Batote 3.3, Banihal 1.0 and Bhaderwah minus 1.2 as the minimum temperatures last night.
According to reports, Leh town of Ladakh Union Territory recorded a low of minus 13.1 degrees Celsius last night – nearly 2 degrees up from night before last’s minus 15.0 degrees Celsius. Also, the nearby Kargil town registered a low of minus 20.0 degrees Celsius last night.
Pertinently, Chillai Kalan will end on January 30 next year which will be followed by a 20-day-long period called ‘Chillai-Khurd’ (small cold) from January 31 to February 19 and a 10-day-long period ‘Chillai-Bachha’ (baby cold) from February 20 to March 1. (KNB)