UP CM Yogi Adityanath Alerts Officials Amid Severe Cold, Orders Shelters and Blankets

The article reports on the Uttar Pradesh governments cold wave response, detailing night shelters, blanket procurement and distribution, bonfires for cold stress, and the use of digital alerts to mitigate fog related risks, with district level coordination to reach the homeless and vulnerable.

Uttar Pradesh is facing a strong cold wave and dense fog, and the Yogi government is on high alert. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered officials in every district to ensure shelters, bonfires and blanket distribution are ready so that no poor or destitute person is left exposed to severe cold.

District administrations, urban local bodies and related departments have been told to run relief work with full sensitivity. The government has stressed that every arrangement should stay functional throughout the cold wave period, including regular checks of night shelters, prompt response to complaints and close coordination between departments for faster decisions.

Yogi Government Cold Wave Alert: Night Shelters and Shelter Arrangements

Data from the state government shows 1,247 night shelters have been set up across Uttar Pradesh so far. These facilities have together provided shelter to 9,949 needy people till now. District authorities have been asked to ensure proper cleanliness, lighting, safety and availability of hot water at each shelter, especially during late night hours.

Officials must also identify locations where extra temporary shelters may be needed if temperatures fall further. The administration has been directed to keep special watch near railway stations, bus stands, main markets and religious places, as these areas often see higher numbers of homeless and migrant workers during winter nights.

Yogi Government Cold Wave Alert: Blanket Distribution and Financial Allocation

The Yogi government has placed blanket distribution at the centre of its cold wave response. Over the last three years, districts purchased an average of 10,65,889 blankets, with nearly Rs 44.38 crore spent each year. Under the current plan, Rs 17.55 crore has already been released to all districts for fresh procurement and distribution.

According to official figures, all 75 districts have issued purchase orders for blankets. Suppliers have so far delivered 3,78,884 blankets to these districts. Out of these, 1,40,364 blankets have already reached identified needy persons, while remaining stock is being distributed. Officials have been told to prioritise the homeless, daily wage workers and people in remote rural areas.

For additional clarity, the state’s expenditure and distribution status can be read in the table below.

Along with blankets and shelters, the government has arranged bonfires at public places to reduce cold stress. All districts have received Rs 1.75 crore in total for lighting bonfires. Data on the number and locations of bonfires lit each day is uploaded on a relief portal, allowing continuous monitoring at the state level and timely corrections where gaps appear.

The administration is also dealing with risks from dense fog through technology. The Relief Commissioner’s office has used the Sachet app and web portal to send 33.27 crore alert SMS messages so far. These alerts reach officials and common citizens in affected districts. In parallel, departments like UPEIDA, NHAI and PWD are emailing regular fog-related advisories to district magistrates and district police to help reduce road accidents.

The overall approach of the Yogi government during the current cold wave depends on three main tools: shelter facilities, distribution of blankets and active use of alerts for fog. With financial backing already released and digital monitoring in place, officials have been instructed to ensure that no person in Uttar Pradesh suffers due to lack of basic protection from cold.