Cold wave claimed 157 lives across north India even as its intensity slightly abatedon Tuesday after the sun came out lifting the fog and raising temperature in parts of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and the national capital. The 300-km Jammu-Srinagar national highway, the only road linking Kashmir valley with the rest of the country, reopened after being closed for two days due to heavy snowfall. Severe cold conditions claimed 37 more lives since last night with Uttar Pradesh alone accounting for 31 deaths.<br/><br/>The six other casualties were reported from Bihar. With let up in snow and rains, night temperature improved in Jammu and Kashmir barring Ladakh region where mercury dipped to minus 18 degrees Celsius in Leh and minus 16.8 degree Celsius in Kargil district. The national capital remained under the grip of intense cold wave as chilly northwesterly winds from the Himalayas considerably brought down the maximum temperature, which was recorded at 14 deg C — eight degrees below normal. It was the lowest of the season so far. Minimum temperature climbed to 9.3 deg C after the sun came out giving some comfort to Delhiites reeling under severe cold conditions for the past one week.