Severe Cold Wave Continues To Batter N. India: Death Toll 200

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The plains of Uttar Pradesh continued to reel under severe cold wave conditions. Icy winds blew across the central and eastern districts of the state and cloudy skies greeted the people in the morning.

While four persons each died in Bareilly and Maharajganj districts, three each died in Moradabad and Azamgarh, two in Mau and one each in Ghaziabad, Aligarh, Bulandshahr and Allahabad districts, reports reaching Lucknow said.

Night temperatures fell in Varanasi, Allahabad, Lucknow and Faizabad divisions, Met office sources said, adding that Gorakhpur recorded the lowest temperature of 4 degree Celsius, while Lucknow recorded a low of 7 degrees Celsius.

No let up in cold was expected in the next 24 hours, the Met office said.

The state government has directed district officials to make special arrangements for the poor and the homeless. Temporary shelters with bonfires are being set up all over the state.

The inclement weather and poor visibility also affected road and rail traffic with several trains running late by five to 15 hours, railway sources said.

Allahabad District Magistrate R N Tripathi has ordered closure of all schools and colleges in the district till January 3, 2004.

According to State weather office chief RK Verma there had been a drop of 2 to 5 degrees Celsius in different parts of the sprawling state.

The situation had been exacerbated by thick clouds and fog preventing sunrays, leading to a fall in day temperature as well.

Verma held out no hope of a respite from the chill for the next few days.

In the temple town of Varanasi, normal life came to a virtual standstill with overcast skies and a biting 3.7 degrees Celsius Wednesday morning. The maximum was also low at 12.5 degrees.

State principal home secretary Anil Kumar said: "Reports reaching here from Varanasi said that there was a sharp drop in the number of devotees to the ancient Kashi Vishwanath temple, which draws Hindu pilgrims from different corners of the country."

"But the number of foreign tourists remained the same and large numbers of them can be seen along the banks of the Ganges despite the cold," Kumar told IANS news agency.

He said he would not be surprised if more people died of the cold wave in the next few days.

"If this kind of weather persists for a longer period, it will become unbearable for the common people," the bureaucrat remarked.

For these "common people", the only relief came from bonfires. In the state capital here, for instance, people could be seen huddled up around bonfires arranged by the administration.

Said Ram Swarup, a cycle-rickshaw puller: "We are warm as long as we are working. But not many people are venturing out in this weather so we don't have enough customers. We are not keeping ourselves warm nor are we earning enough."

Unabated in Bihar: People of Bihar continued to shiver as chilly conditions prevailed for the second day on Wednesday, with the mercury plummeting further.

Trains and flights were affected due to poor visibility caused by dense fog, official sources said, adding people huddled together at bonfires lit by the district administration at various places.

Mercury in Patna dipped to 6 degree Celsius while Gaya, Motihari and Bihta experienced minimum temperatures of 5 degree, 5.2 degree and 5 degree, respectively.

Meteorological office sources said the mercury was going down steadily in several parts of the state.

Five persons have so far lost their lives.

Meanwhile, Patna zoo officials are using heaters, high-voltage bulbs and blankets to keep the animals warm. All the cages have been covered with plastic sheets.

MORE KILLED IN MP: meanwhile, at least 10 people have died so far in Madhya Pradesh as a piercing cold wave sweeps across the state.

The minimum temperatures are hovering between 5 and 7 degree degree Celsius in many parts of the state and vast areas remain enveloped in thick fog affecting road and rail traffic.

Khajuraho, Gwalior and Indore were among the coldest places in the state on Tuesday, followed by Rewa, Sagar and Bhopal.

Two persons have died so far in Bhopal. A report from Morena said an elderly couple died on Monday due to severe cold wave conditions.

A total of six cold related deaths had been reported till Monday – three each from Jabalpur and Gwalior.

In the capital New Delhi, the night temperature was recorded at 6.7 degrees Celsius, 1.7 degrees higher than the previous night. Visibility ranged between 100 and 300 metres leading to rescheduling or diversion of a number of flights. Rail traffic was also affected.

Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir are covered with snow attracting tourists, while Punjab and Haryana have also been experiencing low temperatures day after day.