Cold wave intensifies, death toll mounts to 155

New Delhi, Jan 7 (UNI) People in North West India continued to reel under an intense cold wave today, with the weatherman forecasting a further drop in the mercury tomorrow.

Eleven more deaths were reported from UP in the past 24 hours taking the nationwide toll to 155.

Intense cold wave conditions prevailing in Eastern Uttar Pradesh since last week claimed 11 more lives, taking the toll so far to 98 in the state.

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

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.

There was no relief from the cold for the residents of Amritsar and Jalandhar districts where the temperature remained below the zero degree mark for the third consecutive day.

Adampur in Jalandhar district was the coldest place in the North West plains at minus 2.2 degrees, even below most places of Himachal Pradesh. Amritsar was also cold at minus 0.5 degree, five degrees below normal.

The minimum temperatures at most places in Punjab hovered five degree to seven degree below normal.

The cold wave has already claimed at least 17 lives in Punjab and Haryana, 35 in Bihar and five in north Bengal.

The cold wave also continued in Himachal Pradesh and extreme cold conditions prevailed in tribal areas where lakes, springs and natural water bodies have already frozen.

Cold wave conditions continued to prevail in Chandigarh and its adjoining areas during the day. The city recorded the minimum temperature of 0.4 degree, seven degree below normal.

Many parts of the Dal Lake were frozen with night temperature falling to minus 5.9 degree, the coldest in Kashmir in the season so far.

The days continued to be warm and pleasant with temperature remaining above normal owing to clear and sunny weather.

Wintry conditions have become less severe in Madhya Pradesh due to a change in the direction of winds.

Western winds have led to the mercury rising by one or two notches. The lowest overnight temperature was seven degrees at Gwalior.

Rajasthan is also in the grip of a severe cold wave with temperature in Churu dropping to below zero at -6 degree.

The temperature in Sriganganagar dropped to 1.3 degree, while Pilani in Jhunjhunu district recorded 2, Bikaner 3, Barmer 3.9, Jaipur 6.2, Jaisalmer 6.4, Dabok in Udaipur 7.3, Jodhpur 8, Ajmer 8.2. and Kota recorded 9.3 degree.

The national capital and its adjoining areas are experiencing an unprecedented cold spell for the past one week.

The Met department said the temperature fell to 4.2 degree last night which was 3 degrees below normal.

Train services were delayed due to deep fog this morning in various parts of Kolkata and its outskirts.

Kolkatans experienced cold weather and there was chill in the air with the cold northerlies blowing.

Sources said the maximum temperature was recorded at about 24 degree while the minimum temperature was at about 11.2 degree.

UNI