New Delhi: There was no let up in the cold wave sweeping north India today as Himachal Pradesh received fresh snowfall and temperatures stayed below freezing point at several places in Kashmir Valley.
In Himachal, several areas were cut off and vehicular traffic came to a halt as fresh snowing in Shimla, Kinnaur, Chamba and some other areas threw normal life out of gear.
Shimla was covered with a thick white blanket as Kufri, Narkanda, Sarahan, Khara-Patthar and Matiana received 100 to 150 cms of snow.
Freezing cold prevailed in Kashmir Valley where scenic Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 14.5 deg C.
However, there was some relief for people in Srinagar and parts of north Kashmir as electricity was restored after three days.
Delhiites had no respite from the chill with mercury continuing its downward spiral. The maximum plunged three degrees below normal to settle at 17.6 degrees against Sunday's 18 degrees.
The minimum fell to 8.4 degrees, two notches less than yesterday's low, the MeT department said.
The city experienced the coldest day on Friday with the maximum touching 16.9 degrees Celsius.
Several pockets in Uttar Pradesh shivered as icy winds swept the state where Etawah recorded a low of 4.2 degress Celsius.
Light to moderate rains occurred at few places in east Uttar Pradesh as night temperatures dipped in Agra, Jhansi, Varanasi, Allahabad, Lucknow, Moradabad and Meerut divisions.
Punjab also reeled under piercing cold where holy city Amritsar shivered at a low of 0.4 degress Celsius.
With snowfall in neighbouring hill states of Himachal and Jammu and Kashmir, many towns in Punjab were in the grip of a cold spell.
Ludhiana registered a minimum of 4.3 deg C, down two notches, and Patiala 4.8 deg C.
Chandigarh had a clear sky after three days of inclement weather but the night temperature fell touching 6 degree C.