Srinagar, Jan 25 (IANS): The cold wave further tightened its grip in the Valley on Thursday as the weather office said hazy and dry weather will continue in Jammu and Kashmir till Saturday.

The minimum temperatures could drop further during this period, an official of the Met department said.

The 40-day long period of harsh winter cold known as the 'Chillai Kalan' is barely five days away from its end.

So far, there has been no major snowfall anywhere in the Kashmir Valley and in all likelihood, there would be none till January 30 when it ends.

No snowfall during Chillai Kalan spells disaster for various water bodies, including rivers, streams, lakes and springs of Kashmir.

It is only due the snowfall during this 40-day period that perennial water reservoirs are replenished to maintain a steady water supply during the summer months.

The minimum temperature was minus 5.7 in Srinagar city while Pahalgam and Gulmarg recorded minus 5.8 and minus 7, respectively.

Kargil at minus 17 was the coldest town in the state followed by Leh at minus 10.5.

Jammu city recorded six, Katra 5.3, Batote 1.3, Banihal minus 1.7, Bhaderwah 0.2 and Udhampur 3.4 as the minimum temperature.