At minus 7.8 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, Srinagar recorded the coldest night of the season so far as the 40-day long harsh winter period, known locally as the ‘Chillai Kalan’, reaches its peak.

“At minus 7.8 degrees Celsius, Srinagar recorded the coldest night of the season so far equalling an 8-year-old record when the same minimum was recorded on January 14, 2013”, an official of the local meteorological (MeT) department said.

Dal Lake and other major lakes of the valley were frozen in many parts.