Chillai Kalan, the 40-day period of harshest winter, commenced in Kashmir on December 21.

Minimum temperatures dropped several notches below the freezing point in other parts of the valley as well.

In Srinagar, the temperature came down to minus 8.5 degrees Celsius on Friday night from minus 6.2 degrees Celsius the previous night.

It was Srinagar's coldest December night since 1974, when the city recorded a low of minus 10.3 degrees Celsius, and the third coldest since 1891.

The intense cold led to the freezing of several water bodies, including parts of the famous Dal Lake.

'Chillai Kalan' will end on January 31, 2025 but the cold wave continues in the valley as it is followed by a 20-day 'Chillai-Khurd' (small cold) and a 10-day 'Chillai-Bachha' (baby cold).