Spine-chilling cold claims 6 more lives UP toll at 73

Lucknow, Jan 4 (UNI) The extreme cold wave conditions gripping Uttar Pradesh since last week claimed six more lives, taking the toll in the season so far to 73.

Though, the fog disappeared clearing up the sky, the entire UP reeled under cold wave for the sixth consecutive day.

According to the weatherman, the cold wave would continue to shiver in the coming week.

Reports said two people died of cold in Bareilly, while one person each died in Basti and Badaun districts during the last 24 hrs.

Meanwhile, a derainged woman died of cold under Gosaiganj police station of the state capital.

Due to adverse weather conditions, all schools and colleges have been closed for two days in the UP capital and other districts of UP.

Amausi Airport sources here said fog has disrupted flights schedules. There have been myraid occasions when flights have arrived with half the load as frustated passengers cancelled their tickets.

Allahabad, Agra, Faizabad, Lucknow, Kanpur, Gorakhpur and Bareilly divisions witnessed a dip in the night temperature, the met office told UNI here.

Allahabad at 4 degrees Celsius -- 5 degrees below normal -- was the coldest place in UP for the fifth consecutive day.

Lucknow, Sultanpur, Agra and Bahraich recorded 5 degrees each below normal temperature.

A report from Allahabad said owing to dense fog envelope, the road transport has came to a standstill in early and later hours.

Due to sudden change in weather, people are posed with health problems.

Cold waves continued to lash the city and people are faced with problems due to heavy load shedding, a report from Kanpur said.

All major trains, including Nauchandi Express, Lucknow bound Ganga Gompti Express, North East Express, Farraka Express, Kanpur bound Chauri Chaura Express and Delhi bound Reevan Express, were running late due to fog.

According to the weatherman, mornings would continue to be hazy.

However, the density of fog would depend on moisture content in the atmosphere and the velocity in the coming days.

UNI