With 32 more deaths being reported from different parts of Uttar Pradesh in the past 24 hours, the toll due to the cold wave in the state has touched 293.

"A dozen people have died in Jalaun district, while 20 perished in other places," an official spokesman said on Monday morning.

The lowest temperature was recorded in Kanpur, where mercury once again plummeted to zero degree Celsius. "It is unprecedented... the minimum temperature in Kanpur dipped to zero twice during the past 72 hours," meteorological department director R K Verma said.

The day temperature also touched an all-time low of 9.5 degree Celsius.

Thick fog disrupted normal life and affected air, train and road services.

The administration has allowed reopening of high schools from January 13. Junior schools up to class VIII will remain closed till January 15.

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