Chillai Kalan begins in Kashmir, Srinagar records low of minus 8.5 deg C

Kashmir shivered through its coldest December night in five decades as Chillai Kalan, the 40-day period of harshest winter, began. Srinagar plummeted to -8.5°C, freezing Dal Lake and water lines. Pahalgam and Gulmarg also recorded sub-zero temperatures. While mainly dry weather is forecast, light snowfall is possible in higher reaches.