AMN
Cold wave continues to sweep North and East India. Dense fog at several places in the region has affected normal life.
Minimum temperature marked an improvement at most places in Ladakh region and Kashmir Valley, currently under the grip of Chillai-Kalan, a 40-day harshest period of winter.
MeT Department has predicted light rains or snowfall at isolated places, especially in the higher reaches, in the state over the next 12 hours.
Biting cold continues to sweep most parts of Himachal Pradesh. Higher hills of Chamba, Kullu, Kinnaur and Lahul Spiti have received fresh snowfall. More from our correspondent:
Intense cold wave conditions continued unabated in most parts of state as high altitude tribal areas and other higher hills received fresh snowfall. Bharmaur, Kothi and Mari received 3 cm while Kalpa, Gondla and upper Manali region received 2 cm of fresh snow. The high altitude tribal groaned under biting cold wave with minimum temperature staying between minus 14 to minus 21 degree celcius. Water pipes froze and burst at many places affecting water supply.
There is no let-up in the cold wave sweeping across Haryana and Punjab for the last few days.
The minimum temperature in Delhi was recorded at 7.2 degrees Celsius and foggy conditions were witnessed in the morning hours.
In Uttar Pradesh, four people died of cold in Muzaffarnagar and Shamli districts. In Bihar, normal life has been paralysed due to intense cold. 24 people have died due to severe cold in the state this season. Over two dozen trains have been cancelled and several trains are running 15 to 20 hours behind schedule.