The cold wave has further intensified in several parts of the country. In Uttar Pradesh, it has claimed 18 lives during the past 24 hours. Agra remained the coldest place during the past twenty four hours with the minimum temperature plummeting to 2.6 degree Celsius.

The maximum temperatures remained below normal by 8 to 10 degrees celsius in many parts of the state. Vacations in schools and colleges have been extended due to the extreme cold.

All the three regions of Jammu and Kashmir are in the grip of a severe cold wave with both day and night temperatures dipping by several notches. Higher reaches in the state are experiencing snowfall since last evening.

Intense cold wave swept most parts of Punjab and Haryana with icy winds and foggy weather disrupting normal life in the two states.

In Delhi, the maximum temperature was 16.6 degree celsius, four notches below normal yesterday.

Rajasthan is also in the grip of a severe cold wave with Churu being the coldest place at a minimum temperature of 3.7 degree celsius.

Our correspondent reports that cold wave conditions have been prevailing in Rajasthan for the last two days. Northern Rajasthan is worst hit with the minimum temperature around five degree Celsius.

The lowest 2.4 degree Celsius temperature was recorded at Mt. Abu. Churu was also shivering at 3.7 degree celsius. Night temperatures fell to 5.5 in Pilani, 5.1 in Ganganagar and 5.8degree celsius in Chittorgarh.

Foggy conditions are affecting rail and road traffic and many trains coming from Delhi and Uttar Pradesh are running late.

The government has created “Ranbaseras” where the poor and those living on footpaths are taking shelter to save themselves from the chilly winds.

In Madhya Pradesh, three people including two women died due to the cold in Chambal region during the past two days.

Dense fog continued to disrupt Delhi-bound trains as more than 30 trains are running late by several hours. Schedule of premier trains like Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Duranto have also been badly affected due to foggy conditions in the northern region.

The Public Relations Officer of the Northern Railways, Neeraj Kumar Sharma said that several long distance trains are reported to be running late.