The winter chill continued on Saturday across the northern region where 521 people have so far died due to the cold as a thick blanket of fog covered many parts, affecting rail, road and air communication.
Twelve people died overnight due to the cold in Uttar Pradesh, taking the toll this winter to 492 in the state.
In the national capital, thick fog disrupted the schedules of over 50 domestic and international flights and led to cancellation of eight trains. Over 80 trains ran hours behind schedule.
Jet Airways has suspended all its flights to and fro Chandigarh till January 25 because of the fog, which has also affected vehicular traffic in the region.
In Amritsar, icy winds swept lowered the low to minus 0.8 degrees Celsius, five degrees below the normal, while Ludhiana and Patiala had a minimum temperature of 5.2 deg C and 5 deg C respectively.
In Haryana, Ambala chilled at 2.4 deg C, down by four notches, while the minimum at Karnal was 4 deg C, three below normal.
People in Jammu and Kashmir got some respite from the intense cold as mercury level went up by a few notches due to overnight clear skies.
Jammu recorded a low of 4.9 deg C today as against 3.6 deg C yesterday. Banihal was the coldest place in Jammu region with a low of 0.9 deg C as against 2 deg C yesterday.
In Kashmir valley, Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of minus 1 deg C almost same as yesterday. Kargil in Ladakh region had a low of minus 8.4 deg C against minus 12.8 deg C yesterday and Leh recorded a low of minus 10.6 deg C.
In Rajasthan, Pilani was the coldest place with a minimum temperature of 4.6 deg C this morning, while Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Jaipur recorded 9.6 deg C, 10.4 deg C and 10.5 deg C respectively.
Mild snowfall in higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh intensified cold conditions but the lower areas including Shimla enjoyed a pleasant weather in the absence of rain or snow.
Lahaul & Spiti and Pangi-Bharmour areas of Chamba received mild snowfall, while Keylong was the coldest place in the state with night temperature of minus 8.4 deg C.
The national capital recorded a minimum temperature of 7.7 deg C today against 7.4 deg C yesterday. PTI
