Kashmir's harshest winter period Chillai Kalan begins, Srinagar records coldest night

Tags: State News

Srinagar recorded the season's lowest temperature on December 21 as the harshest 40-day period of winter, locally known as 'Chillai Kalan', began in the Kashmir Valley.

Important facts

• According to the Meteorological Center Srinagar, the night temperature in Srinagar dropped to -4.2 degrees Celsius, while the Pahalgam tourist resort in south Kashmir recorded a night temperature of -6.2 degrees Celsius.

• The lowest temperature ever recorded in the valley in the month of December was -12.8 degree Celsius in the year 1934.

What is 'Chillai Kalan'? 

• 'Chillai Kalan' is the coldest and harshest winter period in the valley with high chances of snowfall and rain in Kashmir's Srinagar.

• Due to intense cold wave conditions in Chillai Kalan, taps and water bodies freeze during the night and people have to heat water supply lines to de-freeze the taps.

• Chillai Kalan starts from 21 December and lasts for 40 days till 31 January.

• During this period of 40 days, Kashmir remains in the grip of intense cold waves. Nighttime temperatures are usually several degrees below the freezing point.

• The 40 day period (Chillai kalan) is followed by the 20 day long Chillai Khurd (small cold) and the 10 day long Chillai Bachcha (baby cold).

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