Srinagar, Dec 20 (IANS): A day before the 40-day-long period of harsh winter 'Chillai Kalan' sets in, biting cold swept the Kashmir Valley on Thursday with further drop in the night temperatures.
The 'Chillai Kalan' sets each year on December 21 and ends on January 30.
Water bodies have already started freezing in the valley. Small fires are lit each morning around water taps to de-freeze them.
Met officials said there was further drop in night temperatures during the last 24 hours as Leh recorded minus 14.7, Srinagar minus 4.9, Pahalgam minus 6.8 and Gulmarg minus 5.4 degrees Celsius.
Jammu recorded 6.1, Katra 6.2, Batote 1.6, Bannihal minus 1.5 and Bhaderwah 0.3 as the minimum temperatures.