A cold wave is likely to sweep across Delhi and the northern states for the next three days, according to India Meteorological Department.

The minimum temperature in Delhi-NCR is expected to hover at 3 degrees Celsius today and tomorrow and at 4 degrees on January 18. The cold wave will stretch across cover, Delhi, Haryana Punjab, Chandigarh and parts of Rajasthan.

IMD has predicted dense fog and low visibility over these areas for the next five days which is expected to disrupt rail, road and air traffic.

Indian Railways informed on Monday that as many as 13 trains are running late in the Northern Railway region due to fog.

Due to northwesterly winds from the Himalayas over the plains of northwest India, minimum temperatures are very likely to fall by 2-4 degree Celsius over the northwest and adjoining central India during the next two days, the IMD predicted.

Schools in several districts of UP have been shut due to the cold wave.

The Union Territory of Chandigarh has extended the winter break for students up to Class 8 in view of the cold and fog spell.