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Delhi has been waking up to dense fog in the mornings

Parts of northern India are experiencing a severe, prolonged cold wave that has thrown normal life out of gear.

Dense fog has delayed more than a hundred flights and dozens of trains, causing chaos at airports and railway stations.

Authorities in the capital Delhi have asked schools to extend winter holidays and cancelled classes.

The minimum temperature in parts of the city dropped to 1.9C on Sunday.

Other northern states have also been grappling with an acute cold wave, with temperatures plummeting to -6C (21F) in Indian-administered Kashmir.

In photos: Severe cold wave grips north India

India's weather department declares a cold wave when the minimum temperature is less than 4C.

The meteorological department has asked people to "avoid or limit outdoor activities" until weather conditions improve. It has also warned people to be careful while driving through dense fog.

The severe cold is also expected to cause health issues, especially in Delhi, which also experiences severe pollution levels during winter months.