Cold wave conditions in North India continued on Thursday, claiming five more lives in Uttar Pradesh, taking the death toll in the state due to chilly conditions to 63.
Three people died in Varanasi and one each in Pratapgarh and Bareilly since last night.
Even though bright sunshine in the afternoon caused slight increase in the day temperature in most parts of the region, including the national capital, it was not enough to provide people relief from the cold wave.
In Punjab and Haryana, the sunny conditions had the mercury rising by two degrees. The Met office has predicted hail or thunder squalls in the region.
Temperature went up by two to four degrees in several parts of Rajasthan.
In the national capital, the minimum temperature rose by two degrees to stand at 6.1 C.
However, the tribal valleys and other higher reaches in Himachal Pradesh experienced arctic conditions, with temperature ranging between -15 and 23 C following fresh snowfall. The mid and higher hills experienced mild showers.
Foggy condition in Ambala, Adampur, Sirsa and Bathinda continued to disrupt normal life.
