North India in grip of cold wave

In north India, the new year brought with it severe cold. The cold wave hit Punjab and Haryana hard, as the northern power grid tripped twice due to the fog. In New Delhi, the dense fog disrupted flight and railway schedules. Low visibility also caused three separate train accidents in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday; 10 people were killed and 50 others injured.

Cold weather continues to wreak havoc across north India. So far, the icy weather conditions have claimed lives of over 200 people with thousands other reportedly suffering from severe cold-induced illnesses.

It has been a severe winter this year, as winter fog led to numerous flight cancellations and train delays several times. (AP Photo)

Fog and bone chilling temperatures continue to disrupt normal life in Punjab and Haryana. Severe cold conditions have made it tough for anyone who is outside. Whether you are going to school, office or even shopping, it's just too hard to ignore the chill. (AP Photo)
Uttar Pradesh bore the brunt of the chilly weather, as with the dawn of the New Year, the state witnessed its first fog related chaos. The low visibility led to three train accidents, killing over 10 people and injuring 40.
The fog has caused Rs 10 crore loss to northern Railways during the first five days of this year alone because of repeated trains cancellations.(AP Photo)

Fog has also turned out to be a nightmare for air travellers across the country. Several flights are being cancelled due to poor visibility caused by fog.(AFP Photo)
Many areas in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and even Chandigarh faced a power blackout on January 2 due to the northern grid 'tripping' owing to heavy fog. Railways traffic was adversely affected as result of power failure. (AP Photo)
The ongoing cold wave worsened the plight of homeless people in the national capital as they have to struggle hard to stay alive. (AP photo)

Higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh continued to remain under sub zero temperature.

Keylong, the district headquarters of Lahaul and Spiti, recorded a low of minus 11.7 degree Celsius, and it was minus 5.6 degree Celsius in Kalpa in Kinnaur.

(AP Photo)
The Metrological Department has, meanwhile, attributed the prevailing weather conditions to western disturbances. (AP Photo)
Indian Border Security Force (BSF) women personnel walk through fog as they patrol alongside a barbed wire fence near the India-Pakistan Wagah Border at Attari on January 9.(AFP photo)

Indian Paramilitary soldiers practice in dense fog near the India Gate monument ahead of the Republic Day parade in New Delhi.(AP photo)