Severe cold in northeastern India kills over 150

Severe cold in northeastern India kills over 150

This file photo shows an Indian homeless family sleeping on a roadside on a chilly morning in New Delhi.

Tue Dec 30, 2014 9:8AM GMT

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The death toll from freezing temperatures across northeastern India has increased to over 150 with fears of the number of fatalities rising as the cold sweeps across the country.

Severe weather and dense fog continued to cripple life in the state of Uttar Pradesh for the sixth consecutive day on Tuesday, delaying more than 100 trains and leading to the death of at least 24 more people since Monday.


According to local media, thick fog at the Delhi airport delayed around 100 flights and cancelled 16.
The lowest temperature was in Churk in Sonbhadra district, where it dipped to 0.5 degrees Celsius.
"The administration at all the 75 districts have been asked to coordinate with local NGOs and ensure that there is no paucity of shelter homes and other essential things for the homeless and the destitute," a senior official said.
The potentially deadly winters in India are short and last only from late December to early February.
Despite facilities provided by the government, many people prefer to stay where they are for fear of losing their place and belongings. They light small bonfires to keep themselves warm.
Weather forecasters predict the cold weather is likely to persist over the next few weeks in most of the northern regions.
HJM/BB/HRB