Near-freezing temperatures and icy Himalayan winds have killed nearly 100 people across northern India since a cold snap began three weeks ago.

A police official says the worst-hit state is Uttar Pradesh, where at least 81 people, mostly poor and homeless, have died due to the intense cold.

Police spokesman Surendra Srivastav said Monday that at least 13 of these had died overnight.

In New Delhi, 10 people have died due to the cold in the past two weeks, while another six deaths were reported from eastern Jharkhand state.