Cold weather kills 56 in Bangladesh

DHAKA, Jan 4 (Reuters) At least 56 people, mostly beggars and homeless, have died during a cold snap in poor areas of northern Bangladesh this week, local officials and doctors said.

They said nearly 40 deaths were reported today alone, when the temperature dropped to 6 degrees Celsius.

Temperatures at this time of year usually hover around 8-10 degrees Celsius.

Weather officials said the cold spell, which began on Monday, was likely to continue for another week.

REUTERS DKA BD1855