Feature: Chillai Kalan - the harshest winter spell begins in Indian-controlled Kashmir

SRINAGAR, Indiancontrolled Kashmir, Dec.21 (Xinhua) - - As Indian-controlled Kashmir is in the midst of intense cold, the harshest spell of winter began on Monday.

The 40-day cold spell of winter, locally called Chillai Kalan here starts from December 21 and lasts until January 31.

Temperature during this period falls below zero and hovers around freezing point.

"This is the period during which night temperatures come down to the freezing point," a meteorological department official said. "We have witnessed night temperature falling to minus 5.6 degree Celsius in Srinagar and at the famous ski resort of Gulmarg, night temperature was recorded at minus 11 degree Celsius in past several days."

The boatmen at Dal lake in Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir said they have to break the frozen surface along the edges of lake to row their boats.

"It has been over a week now that edges of lake can be seen frozen," Altaf Ahmad Malla, a boatman said.

There have been years in the past when the entire Dal Lake froze to a solid mass.

Owing to intense cold, local government has already shifted the capital to Jammu city, which is considerably warmer than Srinagar.

The offices of chief minister, his colleagues and top bureaucrats have moved to Jammu.

Chances of snowfall increase and become frequent during Chillai-Kalan in colder parts of the region.

During the daytime, the weather remains foggy or cloudy.

Authorities have ordered closure of all schools and educational institutions for more than two months in wake of the winter.

Residents in colder parts of Indian-controlled Kashmir have started wearing woollen clothes to keep themselves warm. Majority of the population including women and children are seen wearing long traditional outer garments known as pherans. The traditional fire-pots known as Kangris are in great demand besides the electronic heating gadgets.

The residents have already stored firewood and charcoal for heating purposes.

During the winters, there remains a dearth of electricity in the region. Officials announce power curtailments and thereby plunge residents into darkness for long hours. People often took to roads against the unscheduled power cuts. During the past several weeks many such protests were reported from several parts of the region.

Residents across the colder parts face usually upheavals during this period, for the portable water in pipes freeze.

Chillai-Kalan also marks the Winter Solstice in northern hemisphere, an astronomical phenomenon marking the shortest day and the longest night of the year.

The sun reaches its southernmost point in the horizon and from now would begin to move northwards making the days longer in the northern hemisphere.

The region's tourism department officials anticipate heavy snowfall at Gulmarg and look forward to organize skiing and other winter sports events. Endit