Intense cold wave conditions continued to prevail in most parts of Uttar Pradesh claiming 22 more lives since Wednesday taking the toll this winter to 146, official sources said on Thursday.

Ten deaths were reported from Ballia, eight from Hamirpur, three from Bhadohi and one from Barabanki. Varanasi remained the coldest city in the state with the mercury plummeting to three degrees Celsius while in other parts of the state the lowest temperature hovered around six degrees, Meteorological Department officials said.

Day temperature fell ten degrees below normal in parts of the state, they said adding there would be no let up in the conditions for at least another day.

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The government has reportedly issued instructions to district authorities to make all possible arrangements to help the poor and homeless and tour the districts during the night to check the facilities being made available to them.

Normal life was affected in Kanpur and adjoining areas with the mercury dipping further. According to Met Department officials section at IAF Chakeri, the minimum temperature lowered to 7 degree Celsius from 8.4 degree Celsius on Wednesday.

Chilly winds and dense fog continued to disrupt rail and road traffic. Most of the trains were running hours behind schedule. The district administration and various social organisations have arranged bonfires in different parts of the city.

After a two-day respite, the cold wave again lashed Rajasthan as the mercury plummeted at many places on Wednesday night affecting normal life and vehicular traffic movement in the state, a Met report said on Thursday.

Jaipur experienced the coldest New Year's Eve with the night temperature falling from 8 to 5 degree Celsius and fog engulfing the outskirts of the state capital.

Dense fog also caused traffic jams on the national highways connecting Delhi, Agra, Kota and Ajmer. Pilani recorded the lowest temperature at 2 degree Celsius on the plains and Mount Abu shivered at 3 degree Celsius.