Cold wave sweeps northern India after season's first snowfall

A cold wave has swept northern India, a day after the reason received the season's first snowfall.

Regions in the foothills of Himalayas received fresh snowfall on December 22, much to the delight of hundreds of tourists from the plains and the residents as well.

After snowfall, mercury dropped considerably, causing inconvenience to many and forcing people to stay indoors, especially children.

The state government in Jammu and Kashmir has declared winter break in schools due to severe cold conditions.

"Suddenly it has become very cold after areas in the foothills of Himalayas in northern India received fresh snowfall. The temperature has dropped. We all have come here to drink tea and have also covered ourselves to keep ourselves warm," said a resident of Jammu, Rajkumar Singh, on Monday.

Meanwhile, the fresh spell of snowfall also gripped Himachal Pradesh.

The temperature in the most of places has gone to sub-zero. As per data available with the meteorology department in state capital, Shimla, temperature was recorded here minimum at -1.0 degree Celsius.

People are shivering in such conditions as icy winds lashed the province.

"It is very cold after the fresh snowfall yesterday. It brought joy and happiness to many especially the tourism industry and the farmers but the locals are facing a lot of troubles. The water is freezing and hands and legs are becoming numb and we are not able to go for work," said a shop owner in Shimla, Harvant Bhole.

Snowfall in these regions impacted northern states like Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, as temperatures plummeted here.

During the winter season, tourists prefer to spend their time in higher regions of northern India to experience snowfall.