New Delhi/Srinagar/Kullu, Jan 18 (ANI): Heavy down pour with hailstorm in New Delhi intensified cold, as mercury took a further plunge and added to the woes of the locals.

The national capital continued to shiver in cold snap as the hailstorm and midnight showers sent a shiver down the spine across the capital on Thursday (January 17).

"Due to the hailstorm the weather has changed with the sudden dip in the temperature and now it has become colder than before," said Kamal, a local.

Locals enveloped in woollens were seen venturing out of their homes in the chill.

Poor living on the pavements of Delhi roads were seen sitting around little fires, to get some respite from the biting cold.

The summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar, also received fresh bout of snowfall on Friday (January 18).

A local, Iftakaar said that the snowfall is good for the health of the people and would improve the economy of the state with more number of tourists visiting the valley.

"It is very important for the climate of the Kashmir valley to get appropriate snowfall as it helps the farmers with the crops. When there is snowfall the temperature comes down, which is good for the health of the people, also it attracts the tourists, which is in turn is good for economy," said Iftakar, a local.

The locals cheered the snowfall as the snow clad mountains and trees provided a visual treat to them.

Meanwhile, the scenic hill station of Kullu district in Himachal Pradesh also experienced heavy snowfall.

Tourists from the plains visiting the hill station were ecstatic to witness snowfall and enjoyed the winter magic.

A local, Harish said that snowfall is very important for the apple crop and helps to increase its production.

"Snow is very important for the apple crop as well as for the tourists who visit every year to enjoy the snow," said Harish.

Snowfall in the state is also seen as a boon for the tourism and hospitality industry.

Hundreds of tourists were left stranded in Manali, a beautiful hill-station of Himachal Pradesh, as vehicular traffic remained suspended following sudden heavy snowfall.

Local administration and police rescued many tourists from the highway.

The additional superintendent of police, Sandeep Dawal said that the authorities have started the road clearing operations.

"Due to the heavy snowfall, lot of vehicles was stranded at the Gulab Bagh area. Police and road authorities put in their best efforts to rescue the people and have started road clearing operations," said Dawal.

Snowfall in these regions had a direct impact as temperatures plummeted at many places in the heartland of India such as Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh.

According to Meteorological department western disturbance over the western Himalayan region has caused cloudiness over northwest and adjoining central India. (ANI)