Srinagar is shivering as winter arrives earlier than usual, with Thursday night recording the coldest temperature of the season so far. The mercury dropped to minus 4.5 degrees Celsius, sending locals scrambling for warmth.

Familiar winter scenes were visible across the city, with people carrying kangris- small earthen pots filled with burning charcoal, bundled in heavy jackets, and huddling around makeshift bonfires. Many residents say the harsh chill, reminiscent of the peak winter period, has already set in.

Traditionally, Chillai Kalan, the 40-day stretch marking Kashmir’s harshest winter, begins on 21 December. But this year, Srinagar and other districts in the valley are witnessing sub-zero temperatures well in advance. Minimum temperatures across the region have remained below freezing for the past week.

The Meteorological Department has forecast mainly dry weather across Kashmir until 2 December, while warning of a possible further dip in night-time temperatures.