PICS: 'Chillai Kalan' begins in Kashmir Valley

The traditional 40-day long period of harsh winter known as the 'Chillai Kalan' began in the Kashmir Valley on Thursday. The period known for sub-zero temperatures, frozen lakes and rivers however, started on a gentler note, according to a Met Department official. "Due to overnight rains and cloud cover, the minimum temperatures throughout Jammu and Kashmir have improved on Thursday," the official said The minimum temperature was 3.1 degrees Celsius in Srinagar.