Srinagar, Dec 20 (IANS): Night temperatures across J&K and Ladakh improved marginally on Sunday due to partial cloud cover although the cold wave continued unabated in the two Union territories.

Despite the marginal improvement in minimum temperatures, intense cold wave gripped the Valley and Ladakh on Sunday.

Parts of the famous Dal Lake in Srinagar city have frozen which makes rowing of boats very difficult in such parts of the lake.

The weather office has forecast light rain or snow in J&K and Ladakh on Monday and Tuesday.

"Srinagar recorded minus 6.2 degrees Celsius as the minimum temperature today showing marginal improvement over yesterday's minus 6.6.

"Pahalgam and Gulmarg recorded minus 7.7 and minus 7.5 respectively again showing improvement over yesterday's minus 9.5 and minus 9.2", an official of the MET department said.

Leh town of Ladakh was at minus 17.0, Kargil minus 20.0 and Drass minus 27.3 as the night's lowest temperatures.

Jammu city recorded 4.2, Katra 5.8, Batote 2.3, Banihal 0.6 and Bhaderwah minus 2.6 as the minimum temperatures.

The 40-day-long period of harsh winter cold known locally as the 'Chillai Kalan' begins on Monday and will end on January 31.

Snowfall during the Chillai Kalan replenishes the perennial water reservoirs in the mountains.

It is the snowmelt from these water reservoirs that sustains various rivers, streams, springs and lakes in J&K and Ladakh during the hot summer months.