Cold wave claims two more lives in Gujarat

Rajkot, Feb 9 (UNI) The severe cold wave sweeping the region for past few days has claimed two more lives in Gujarat.

A female shelterless beggar died of severe cold in Junagadh city, while a youth died in Suvai village of Kutch district yesterday, police said.

The 70-year-old female begger was found dead near the Junagadh Railway station while the 40-year-old autorickshaw driver, Mohan Nashabhai, had died at his residence at Suvai village, police said.

The cold wave has continued to sweep Saurashtra and Kutch regions. Nalia in Kutch district recorded a minimum temperature of 1.4 degrees today, Rajkot 5.3 degrees, Porbandar 6.4 degrees, Bhuj 8 degrees, and Jamnagar experienced the coldest day today, incidentally the lowest in seventeen years, with mercury plumetting to five degrees.

Meanwhile, the school timings in the region have been rescheduled following the severe cold wave. District Education authorities have directed that schools, which start at 0730 hrs, should start at 0830 hrs. The schools have also been asked to close 30 miniutes early.

UNI AV MAZ MS KP1725