New Delhi: The cold wave weakened substantially in Uttar Pradesh as temperature dipped in Punjab and Haryana but stayed one degree to eight degrees above normal because of low clouds over most places in the region.

Heavy snowfall in Himachal Pradesh paralysed life in parts of the State while Srinagar-Jammu national highway remained closed for the fourth day due to landslides following heavy rains on Wednesday.

During the last 24 hours, two cold-related deaths each were reported from Himachal Pradesh and West Bengal.

As per reports from Shimla, the intense cold wave conditions sweeping Himachal Pradesh has claimed the lives of two people in Kullu district, taking the death toll in the state to three.

Heavy snowfall has paralysed life in the key tourist resort of Manali and more snow clouds hovered over the Kullu district with the town already having recorded over two feet of snowfall.

The Solang ski slopes had received almost six feet of snowfall during the past few days, official sources said, adding that National Highway 21 leading to Manali was also blocked at many places.

Water and telephone services have also been affected in the district.

Kinnuar district remained cut off from the rest of the country for the third day even as the sky remained overcast throughout the day, with temperatures dipping to minus-20 degree Celsius at many places in the district.

In the National Capital with clouds hovering over the skyline for the fourth day running, the minimum temperature registered a jump to 14.4 degrees Celsius from 12.8 degree Celsius yesterday. The minimum temperature recorded was seven degrees above normal.

The cloud cover in the Capital which weathermen say is an offshoot of rains in some parts of North India over the past few days also resulted in the day temperature rising to 26.5 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, six degrees above normal.

Weathermen say the sharp rise in mercury over the past four days is largely due to the cloud cover enveloping Delhi's skyline.

The minimum temperature, which was eight degree Celsius on January 14, has since risen to 14.4 degree Celsius. The day temperatures have also witnessed a steady rise, from 18 degree Celsius last week, to 26.5 degree Celsius.

The cold wave weakened in Uttar Pradesh during the last 24 hours, giving a much-needed respite to people, according to reports from Lucknow.

During the period, the minimum temperature hovered above normal at all the places in the State.

Varanasi was the coldest place in UP, recording the minimum temperature of nine degrees Celsius, which was one degree above normal.

Meanwhile, Lucknow recorded a minimum of 10 degrees, three above the normal.

The met office has forecast light rainfall or thundershowers at several places in west UP including Meerut, Agra, Moradabad and Bareilly divisions.

At least 165 deaths due to the cold wave have so far been reported in UP. Two men froze to death in Darjeeling last night, police said. -- UNI

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