Cold claims 13 more lives in UP, toll at 98

Lucknow, Jan 7 (UNI) The intense cold wave conditions persisting in Eastern Uttar Pradesh since last week killed 11 more people, taking the toll so far to 98.

People of the state are in for another weekend of severe chill with the weatherman forecasting a further drop in mercury tomorrow.

The met office attributed the extreme cold conditions due to moisture feed from Rajasthan and snowfall in Uttarakhand.

The Sun god gave some respite from chilly winds in Lucknow, yet people in other parts of the state continued to shiver for the second consecutive week.

A report from Mahoba said three persons died of cold in the district during the last 24 hrs, followed by three in Siddharthnagar, two each in Mirzapur, Bhadohi and Gorakhpur districts.

Meanwhile, an aged person died of cold in Ghazipur district.

According to weatherman, dry icy winds lashed the state, making people shiver even during the day despite bright sunshine.

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

Agra at 6.2 degrees Celsius -- one degree below normal -- was the coldest place in UP. The state capital recorded 8 degrees, followed by Allahabad 7 and Bahraich 8 degrees.

Fog continued to play havoc on the schedule of trains. Kisan Express was running 18 hrs late, Neelanchal was late by 10 hrs, Ganga Gomti Express and Gareeb Rath were late by four hrs. Besides, 4723/4724 Kalindi Express, 5003/5004 Chauri Chaura Express and Farukhabad Passenger have been suspended till January 31.

There might be no fog in the state capital, but it gripped heavily in Gorakhpur, Varanasi, Bareilly, Hapur and Moradabad leading to delay in several trains.

According to reports, people are posed with problems due to heavy load shedding in Meerut, Mahoba, Allahabad, Siddharthnagar, Bareilly, Moradabad, Badaun, Bulandshahr, Bagpat, Saharanpur and Bijnaur districts of UP.

Mornings would continue to be hazy. However, the density of fog would depend on moisture content in the atmosphere in the coming days.

UNI