The Uttar Pradesh state has borne the brunt of the bitter cold, accounting for 450 deaths. The remaining deaths were reported from Himachal, Punjab, Haryana and Bihar states.
Most victims were either elderly or poor with inadequate shelter and warm clothing. Maximum temperatures plunged five to 10 degrees Celsius below normal in many towns and cities, while Himachal Pradesh and the Himalayan states of Jammu and Kashmir reeled under sub-zero temperatures. The dense fog engulfing New Delhi since Wednesday caused over 400 domestic and international flights in and out of the city's Indira Gandhi Airport to be delayed, diverted or cancelled, airport officials said Friday.