Cold conditions intensified in most parts of the northern region as mercury dipped by several notches with Leh in Jammu and Kashmir freezing at minus 16 degrees.<br/><br/>Met office said the minimum temperature in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh hovered between two to four degree Celsius below normal at several places. <br/><br/>Icy winds coupled with steep drop in mercury resulted in intense cold in most parts of Jammu and Kashmir on the eve of 'Chilai Kalan', the 40-day harsh winter period.<br/><br/>Leh, in frontier region of Ladakh,is the coldest place in the state with a low of minus 16 degrees.<br/><br/>Srinagar recorded a minimum of 0.4 degrees, People in Himachal Pradesh had no respite from cold as chilly winds swept across the state. Capital Shimla settled at a minimum temperature of 5.7 degrees, Cold conditions aggravated in Rajasthan with Churu being<br/>the coldest place . <br/><br/>Delhiites woke up to another misty and chilly morning as the national capital recorded a minimum of 8.4 degree Celsius.<br/>