A cold spell sweeping over the district over the past three days has paralysed normal life of the people.  People, especially the homeless and elderly men and women, are worst affected by the falling mercury. Severity of the cold wave intensifies after midday and turns almost unbearable in the evening. Dense fog and mist overcast the sky keeping the sun invisible. Plying of vehicles on all routes has become almost impossible. Shopping malls and kitchen markets in the district witnessed very dull sales as very few people go for shopping. The chilly weather keeps them indoors. Destitute people are trying to combat this bone-chilling cold sitting around fire.