Srinagar: The onset of “Chilla-i-Kalan”, the 40-day-long severest part of winter, commenced on Friday with temperatures plummeting below the freezing point across Kashmir valley including Ladakh region.

Srinagar, Kashmir’s summer capital, recorded a minimum temperature of minus 4.4 degrees Celsius , MET office said.

Leh in Ladakh region recorded a minimum temperature of minus 12.7 degrees Celsius.

The hill resort of Pahalgam in southern Kashmir chilled at minus 7.5.

Chilla-i-Kalan is the 40-day period of harsh winter. Chilla-i-Kalan begins from December 21 and ends on January 31.