Summary:
'Chillai-Kalan' ends on January 31, but the cold wave continues even after that in Kashmir. SRINAGAR: Cold wave conditions intensified across Kashmir, except Srinagar city, as the mercury slipped further below the freezing point, resulting in frozen water bodies and water supply lines in several residential areas on Tuesday. The prolonged dry spell has resulted in an increase in common ailments like cough, cold and other respiratory problems, especially among children and elderly.The Met office has forecast mainly dry weather till Wednesday. The 40-day period is followed by a 20-day 'Chillai-Khurd' (small cold) and a 10-day 'Chillai-Bachha' (baby cold).However, the winter this season has been dry so far, although there was a spell of early snowfall in the Valley in first and second week of November. Srinagar - the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir - which recorded the coldest night in 11 years on Monday at minus 6.8C, experienced some respite as the mercury settled over a degree higher at minus 5.5 C last night, a Met department official said.The official said Qazigund - the gateway town to the Valley - in south Kashmir recorded a low of minus 5.2 C, while the nearby Kokernag town registered a low of minus 5.3 C last night..