Srinagar, Dec 24 (IANS): A bitter cold wave continued unabated in the Kashmir Valley on Saturday and will remain for at least the next 24 hours, the weather office announced.

Frost and fog in the valley have been causing hardships to locals who are praying for some respite from the unprecedented dry spell during the ongoing 'Chillai Kalan', the 40-day long period of harsh cold.

"Present cold wave conditions will continue in the state during the next 24 hours as weather is expected to remain dry and cloudy during this period," a Met department official said.

The maximum temperature dropped to this season's lowest in Srinagar on Friday at 8.1 while the minimum today (Saturday) was minus 4.4 degrees.

Pahalgam and Gulmarg recorded minus 4.6 and minus 2.0 as the lowest night temperature, the official said.

Leh town recorded a minus 1.5 while Kargil had minus 4.5 as the night's lowest temperature.

"Jammu city recorded 8.1, Katra 9.3, Batote 0.5, Bannihal 6.1 and Bhaderwah 2.1 as the minimum temperatures," the official added.