Lucknow, Jan 9

Cold conditions continued in Uttar Pradesh Thursday as many areas received rainfall. The temperature in state capital Lucknow Wednesday night was 3 degrees celsius, while it slumped to sub-zero level in Kanpur.

Residents of the state capital Thursday woke up to a cloudy morning and rains. The Met Office attributed the rains to a Western Disturbance and said that the rain could stay on for a while.

The visibility on highways also dashed to less than 100 metres, forcing many motorists to abort travel plans. Hundreds of passengers were stranded at railway stations, bus stands and the airport here.

According to railway officials, more than 30 trains were delayed. Airport officials said the three flights in the morning were also delayed. Three flights were cancelled Wednesday.

Railway officials said out of the 158 railway stations in Northern Railway, 114 stations were blinded by fog, adversely affecting running of trains.

'Western Disturbace' is a storm system originating in the Mediterranean Sea which brings sudden winter rain and snow to the northwestern parts of the Indian subcontinent, chiefly in the Himalayan region. 

by:IANS