Lucknow, Dec 15 (IANS): Uttar Pradesh continued to reel under an intense cold wave on Tuesday, with the night temperature dropping to three degrees Celsius in Kanpur - the lowest in 44 years - the Met office said.

Foggy weather and icy winds blowing through central Uttar Pradesh continued to add nip in the air.

Meanwhile, the state government has released Rs.18 crore for providing relief during the cold weather, an official spokesman said.

Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has directed all district magistrates to ensure that there were no deaths due to cold, lack of shelter, due to hunger, shortage of warm clothing and medicine, the official told IANS.

As the cold waves intensify every year, dozens of deaths are reported as destitutes and homeless are forced to sleep in open.

For this, the official said, adequate night shelters were being established and blankets were distributed. Municipal corporations have been asked to light up bonfires.