Srinagar
A day before “Chillai Kalan”, 40-day-long severest part of winter in Kashmir valley, cold wave has engulfed Jammu and Kashmir as night temperatures further dipped in the state with Leh recording minus 14.7 degrees Celsius – the lowest night temperature of the season.
Famous tourist destinations of Kashmir Gulmarg and Pahalgam recorded minus 5.4 and 6.8 degrees Celsius, and Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of minus 4.9 degrees Celsius.
Kokernag town recorded a low of minus 3.8 degrees Celsius while Kupwara town in north Kashmir registered a low of minus 5.5 degrees Celsius last night.
Jammu recorded 6.1, Katra 6.2, Batote 1.6, Bannihal minus 1.5 and Bhaderwah 0.3 as the minimum temperature.
The Chillai Kalan is followed by 20 days long “Chillai Khurd” and ten days long “Chillai Bacha”.
Of the three Chillais, “Chillai Kalan” is considered to be the severest part of the winter for which people brace up in advance.
