The severe cold condition in most part of Himachal Pradesh intensified today freezing natural sources of water and affecting hydro-power generation even as fresh snowfall brought the mercury below the zero-level at several places in the Kashmir Valley and Ladakh region.<br/><br/>In Himachal Pradesh, the tribal areas reeled under biting cold wave conditions with mercury staying 12 to 18 degree below freezing point. Keylong recorded 3 cm of fresh snow. Kalpa in Lahaul and Spiti district recorded a low of minus 3.7 degrees Celsius. A medium avalanche threat has been issued for tribal areas and higher hills and the people have been advised not to venture out.<br/><br/>In Jammu and Kashmir, Pahalgam and a few other places in the higher reaches received fresh snowfall and the night temperature across the Valley and Ladakh region settled below the freezing point last night.<br/><br/>Mercury today dropped sharply in Punjab and Haryana with Karnal at a minimum of 4.4 degrees Celsius being the coldest place in the two states.<br/><br/>In the national capital, it was a pleasant weather as sun shone bright through the day and the minimum temperature settled at 9.4 degrees Celsius, normal for this time of the year.