Srinagar, Feb 7 (IANS): Minimum temperatures remained below the freezing point in the Kashmir Valley on Wednesday as a thin cloud cover rekindled hope of some rain and snow in the coming days.

While Kargil in the Ladakh region was the coldest in Jammu and Kashmir at minus 16.5 degrees Celsius, Leh was at minus 11.2, a Met official said.

Srinagar city recorded minus 1.7, Pahalgam minus 2.8 and Gulmarg minus six as the minimum temperatures. Jammu recorded 6.8, Katra 8.1, Batote 5.2, Bhaderwah 3.2 and Udhampur 3.5 degrees Celsius.

The skies would remain partially cloudy in the valley till Thursday, the Met said.

Kashmir faces an alarming situation this year as there has been very little rain or snowfall so far. Even the 40-days harsh winter of 'Chillai Kalan' that ended on January 30, gave the snow a miss.

The heavy snowfall is necessary for replenishing the water bodies in the valley.

Mountain tops which at these time of the year normally remain snow-clad, even up to early summer months, wore a brazenly dry look.

Unless there is major snowfall in February, the valley could well face a drought-hit summer.