Lucknow, Dec 9 (IANS): The winter chill claimed at least six lives in Uttar Pradesh (UP) in the last 24-hours, officials said Tuesday.

All the deaths were reported from Poorvanchal (eastern UP). Of the dead, two people belonged to Ghazipur, two from Ballia and one each in Varanasi, Sonebhadra and Azamgarh.

Heavy fog also descended on the state capital and many other parts Tuesday morning, making the weather worse.

Revised school timings proved to be of little relief for school going children as icy winds swept the city till late in the morning.

Visibility in most parts of the city was around 20 metres, forcing drivers to switch on thyeir head and fog lights. Traffic was consequently disrupted on the national highways, delaying buses and other vehicles.

More than a dozen trains are running late, with some behind schedule by more than 10 hours, a railway official said.

The flight schedule to and from the city's Chaudhary Charan Singh Airport at Amausi has also been hit by poor visibility and foggy conditions.

The regional met department predicted similar conditions for the rest of the week and informed that the winter chill was here to stay.