Higher areas of Uttarakhand received fresh snowfall for the second consecutive day on Monday intensifying biting cold conditions in the hill state and marring electioneering ahead of the January 30 Assembly polls.
Higher reaches of several areas in Garhwal and Kumaon regions such as Chamoli, Uttarkashi, Bageshwar and Pithoragarh experienced fresh snowfall while the lower hilly and plain areas were lashed by intermittent rains, the Met office said.
The picturesque resort of Mussoorie, Dhanaulti and Nainital also experienced snowfall.
Met Director, Mr Anand Sharma, said current weather conditions were expected to continue for another 24 hours.
The cold wave conditions gave a setback to candidates who were unable to hold rallies with the people mostly remaining indoors.
The intense cold has raised demands from various political parties to postpone elections by at least another fortnight.
While the BJP wanted the elections to be postponed by nearly 15 days, Congress has said that it would honour any decision taken by the Election Commission in this regard.
Significantly, the Chief Minister, Mr B.C. Khanduri, had earlier voiced his concern over the prevailing harsh winter conditions in the State and had asked the Election Commission to postpone elections.
However, a top official of the State Election Commission said the election will be held as per schedule.