Patna, Dec 24 (IANS): Bihar continued to shiver Wednesday with the minimum temperature dipping to five degrees below normal in Gaya district and no respite from the cold wave in sight, meteorological officials here said.

"A cold wave is sweeping across the state with Gaya recording the coldest temperature in Bihar for the second consecutive day with the minimum recorded at 4.2 degrees Celsius Wednesday," met director R.K. Giri said.

He said Patna, the state capital, Tuesday recorded minimum and maximum temperatures at 8.9 degrees and 14.9 degrees Celsius, respectively.

Giri said there will be some improvement in the temperature from Thursday.

Icy winds and cloudy skies were compounding the problem. A blanket of dense fog engulfed the state. Flights at Patna airport had to be rescheduled due to poor visibility in the morning.

Fog also disrupted railway traffic with most of the long distance trains, including the Rajdhani Express, running several hours late.

An official of the state disaster management department said normal life was affected with most of the people forced to stay indoors.

The poor were seen huddled around fires to keep themselves warm in the inclement weather.