At least 25 people have so far died due to intense cold weather in northern India, an official said Wednesday.

"The deaths have happened over the past few days across the northern Indian states of Uttar Pradesh. Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana which have been reeling under cold wave. A majority of those people who succumbed to cold were homeless and elderly people," he said.

The Indian capital has also been gripped by cold weather, with the temperature dipping to 7 degrees Celsius on Tuesday.

"Dense fog has enveloped the city for the last three days, affecting air and rail services," the official said, adding the India Meteorological Department predicted the cold spell would continue for a number of days.

Every year, some people die of cold in northern India, particularly during the winter months of December and January.