Srinagar, Jan 19 (IANS): The intense cold wave sweeping the Kashmir Valley continued on Sunday. The Weather Office has ruled out any respite till Jan 21.

"The minimum temperatures remained several notches below the freezing point in the valley and the Leh town Sunday," a Met department official told IANS.

"The present cold wave conditions are likely to continue with possibility of further drop in the night temperatures because of clear night skies. We are expecting rain and snow in the valley from Jan 21 onwards which would bring some respite from the present cold wave," the official said.

The minimum temperature was 3.6 degrees Celsius below the freezing point in Srinagar Sunday, while it was minus-9.7 degrees Celsius in Pahalgam and minus-5.8 degrees Celsius in Gulmarg.

While Leh town of the Ladakh region recorded minus 11.2 degrees Celsius, Jammu city was relatively warm with the minimum temperature of 6.5 degrees Celsius.

People in Srinagar and most other towns and villages of the valley were seen lighting small fires to de-freeze water tapes in the morning.

Portions of the Dal Lake and other water bodies are partially frozen, making rowing difficult for fisherman and boatmen.