North India quivers under cold spell; 27 dead

New Delhi, Jan 3: As the world celebrated New Year, North India was hit by a cold wave that claimed the lives of 27 people. Close to 24 people died in Uttar Pradesh alone. With many affected by the deadly cold spell, many states saw many weather records broken and more deadly ones created with the title 'coldest ever' given to many states in North India.

Three deaths were reported in Jammu and Kashmir with Qazigund in south Kashmir shivering at minus 7.4 degree C, while Kokernag town in Anantnag district recording a minimum temperature of minus six degree C. Srinagar, which experienced a heavy snowfall two days earlier, froze at minus 2.4 degree C, against 0.8 degree on Saturday, Jan 1. Officials said the town experienced the coldest night this winter on Sunday, Jan 2.

The temperature in Leh nosedived to a scary minus 23.6 degree C. The Srinagar-Jammu national highway was snowed-in, turning the place into an island with no links to the world outside.

The lack of basic woolen clothing and heating facilities to the millions out there, didn't help matters either.

Delhi quivered as temperatures dropped to 14.6 degree Celsius making the capital city freeze. The elderly and the children seem to be the most affected with a 70 year old man and a two year old boy succumbed to the extreme weather in Bahraich and Farukkhabad districts respectively.

OneIndia News

(With inputs from PTI)