At 1.4 degrees Celsius, Taj city was the coldest in Uttar Pradesh Sunday night, six degrees below normal. The maximum temperature hovered around 18 degrees Celsius.

The temperature could fall further with light drizzle on the New Year's eve, weather office in Lucknow said.

Voluntary agencies in the city have opened several night shelters for the homeless.

Sri Nathji Nishulk Sewa chief Bankey Lal Maheshwari told IANS: "Our raen baseras (night shelters) are house full. We are providing comfortable beds and quilts, also a bonfire is lit." 

The municipal corporation of Agra is still to wake up, complained activist Shravan Kumar Singh.