The cold wave tightened its grip over North India as temperatures plummeted across the region with chilly winds and fog adding to the misery of the people.

In the Kashmir Valley, minimum temperature has stripped by several knotchs plunging the valley once again in intense cold wave.

The State Administration today arranged special sorties of Indian Air Force 176 aircraft to lift stranded passengers at Jammu and Srinagar.

The biting cold wave conditions gripped most parts of Himachal Pradesh too. AIR correspondent reports that avalanche threat loomed large in high altitude tribal areas.

On the other hand, a thick blanket of fog engulfed both Punjab and Haryana affecting rail, road and air traffic even as minimum temperature in the region shot up by about two notches.

Rajasthan continued to reel under intense cold as Mount Abu, the state's only hill station, experienced a chilling night at minus 2.2 degrees Celsius on Friday.

The National Capital and its adjoining areas remained in the grip of cold wave with the minimum temperature hovering around five degree celsius in early hours. However, people got some respite due to a bright sunny day. The minimum temperature was recorded at 5.4 degree celsius, two notches below normal, while the maximum on Friday settled at 14.6 degrees, seven degrees below normal for this time of the year.

Director of the Meteorological office at the IGI Airport RK Jenamani told AIR that the flight services at the Indira Gandhi International Airport were not affected although fog descended on the capital early this morning.

The Weatherman has predicted a foggy morning tomorrow as well with temperature likely to oscillate between 7 and 18 degree celsius.

Most parts of Madhya Pradesh are in the grip of severe cold conditions. AIR Bhopal correspondent reports Mandla and Damoh recorded the lowest minimum temperature of 0.5 degrees this morning.