North India shivers under tough conditions * Air, rail and vehicular traffic hit
With fresh snowfall and icy winds blowing from the hills, plains in Northern India are reeling under intense cold. Over 70 people died in Uttar Pradesh in the last 48 hours following intense cold wave conditions in different parts of the state.
Reports reaching at state headquarters in Lucknow claimed that 28 deaths due to cold wave were reported from entire Bundelkhand region, 22 from Eastern UP, 11 from Allahabad division, three from Bareilly, two from Barabanki and one each from Faziabad, Ambedkar Nagar and Rae Bareli districts of the state.
Despite the state government's claim to make arrangements for bonfires and distribution of blankets to the poor and needy, majority of the people who died are homeless and could not sustain the icy winds and low temperature. Mercury in Sultanpur dipped to a record low 2.8 degree Celsius and state capital Lucknow recorded 4 degree Celsius.
The meteorological department officials in Lucknow claimed that the intense cold wave conditions with icy winds, fall in temperature, fog and weak sun shine would continue to hit different parts of Uttar Pradesh next three days. The department has issued an advisory to the people to stay back home till the weather conditions improved.
The bad weather has affected the air, rail and vehicular traffic in the state. As many as 28 trains were cancelled, 26 running late for more than 12 hours, and routes of many were diverted. Air traffic was too affected due to foggy weather. No flight could land at Luck now Airport till late afternoon and many flights were either cancelled or diverted to other airports.
The Yogi Adityanath government has directed all municipal commissioners to establish shelter homes and distribute blankets to the needy. It has also sanctioned Rs 2.83 crore for the purchase of blankets.
HARYANA SCHOOLS
- In view of intense cold wave conditions prevailing in Haryana, the state government has decided to extend winter holidays in all schools up to January 14.
- Most parts of Haryana are reeling under biting cold for over a week, with minimum temperatures hovering between 2 degrees Celsius and 6 degrees Celsius and maximum of 14 to 18 degrees Celsius.
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