NEW DELHI: There has been no letup in the prevailing cold conditions in the north Indian states and Kashmir in the new year's season, which has brought life to standstill and hampered travel services and electricity supply on Saturday, officials said on Sunday.

The dense fog in New Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh has disrupted the railway services and delayed air services since Saturday.

Many parts of Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and India-controlled Kashmir plunged into darkness on Saturday and Sunday following a technical snag in the Northern grid.

India's official broadcaster - All India Radio (AIR) reports that the cause of disruption in electricity supply was tripping at the Northern grid due to accumulation of layers of heavy fog and moisture over the insulators.

The entire India-controlled Kashmir continues to be in grip of cold and icy winds have resulted in freezing the ends of lakes and water bodies. The water supply lines in Srinagar and other districts also froze resulting in hampering.

According to the Meteorological Department officials, compared to last year, the region is experiencing intense cold due to below-freezing night temperatures.

The officials said light rains and snowfall is expected in plains and upper reaches of the valley.