Srinagar, Jan 23 (IANS): Temperatures in Jammu and Kashmir again fell several notches below the freezing point Wednesday with the return of cold wave conditions.

A weather official told IANS that another spell of cold wave was sweeping the Kashmir valley and Ladakh region with minimum temperatures dropping several notches below the freezing point due to clear night skies in the last few days.

"The minimum temperature was minus 3.2 degrees Celsius in Srinagar, minus 7.0 degrees in Pahalgam, minus 9.6 degrees in Gulmarg, minus 19.4 degrees in Leh and minus 17.2 degrees in Kargil," said the official.

"The night temperatures will start rising from Thursday and the day temperatures will fall during this period as we expect light rain and snow in the valley," the official said.

Slippery roads, morning frost and frozen water bodies are some of the features of the cold wave. Traffic officials have advised people to drive cautiously on the valley's roads to avoid accidents.

The super specialty bone and joint hospital here has seen a jump in number of patients with fractures and dislocated joints, say doctors.

Cases of high blood pressure, heart ailments and brain haemorrhages also normally increase in the cold-stricken valley due to lack of exercise, sedentary lifestyle and shrinking of vessels during the harsh winters, said a senior doctor.

"These afflictions are sometimes fatal for elderly people," the doctor said.