(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Extreme cold wave conditions prevailed in several parts of north India yesterday.
In Uttar Pradesh, lack of night shelters and amenities has already led to the death of over 70 homeless and poor people.
Twenty-two deaths were reported from Poorvanchal; three each in Brij and Bareilly divisions; 11 in Allahabad division and 28 in Bundelkhand region.
Two men died in Barabanki district due to the severe cold. One person died in Harchandpur in Faizabad, an infant in Ambedkarnagar, one in Rae Bareli's Makhdoompur and one in Unchahaar.
A government official said arrangements have been made for bonfires and night shelters, though the ground realities were in stark contrast to these claims.
At many places in the state capital Lucknow, the claims have fallen flat in the last 48 hours.
Reports suggest that most bonfires have been taken over by 'VVIPs and were being lit outside the bungalows of ministers and political leaders.
Sultanpur district remained the coldest in the past 24 hours with the mercury dipping to 2.8 degrees Celsius.
Lucknow shivered at three degrees Celsius. Friday was incidentally the coldest day of the season as well. Intense cold meanwhile continues to disrupt life across Bihar.
'Icy winds, fog and a weak sun shining only for one or two hours have forced people to huddle indoor. It is extremely cold even during the day, said Soumendu Sengupta, Patna meteorological centre director.
A Disaster Management Department official said the state has been reeling under intense cold for the past ten days and low temperatures would continue for another two days.
Meanwhile, Himachal Pradesh tourist destinations Shimla and Manali saw the season's lowest temperature yesterday. The minimum temperatures across the state remained two-three degrees below average.
At many places in the state the temperatures remained below freezing point, an official of the meteorological office said, adding there was no chance of rain and snow across the state for a week.
Bitter cold wave swept through Jammu and Kashmir too.
Ladakh region remained in a deep freeze.
Leh at minus 15.6 was the coldest town in the state.
Srinagar city recorded minus 1.2, Pahalgam and Gulmarg were minus 8.4 and minus 9.4, respectively, a Met official said.
The Kashmir Valley is passing through the 40-day period of harsh winter condition known as the 'Chillai Kalan, which started on December 21.
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