Patna, Dec 30 (IANS): An intense cold wave has claimed 10 more lives in Bihar, pushing the total number of deaths in the state due to inclement weather to 17, officials said Tuesday.

"The inclement weather claimed 10 more lives, including three women and a child, within a span of 48 hours. The death toll is now 17 in the state," an official said.

People across the state shivered due to the biting cold and dense fog continued to affect normal life and disrupt air and rail traffic, officials said.

In view of extreme foggy weather,the east central railway cancelled eight pairs of express and mail trains from Dec 31 to Feb 15.

Patna Met office director A.K. Sen said chilling northwesterly winds were sweeping through the state.

"The icy winds will continue to blow over the state for next few days," he said.

The minimum temperature in Gaya was 2.7 degrees Celsius Monday. It was the lowest recorded temperature in decades in the state. In 1961, Gaya had recorded lowest temperature of 1.4 degree Celsius.

According to Sen, people will get some respite from intense cold from Tuesday afternoon with sunshine likely.