36 die as cold wave intensifies

2005-12-18 13:35

New Delhi - The death toll from the relentless cold wave sweeping across north India has climbed to 36, it was reported on Sunday.

The deaths have been reported from the Uttar Pradesh state over the last week, the NDTV network reported. Most of those who died were homeless people.

The cold wave which has gripped many states like Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan has caused the mercury to dip to abnormally low temperatures compared to previous years.

Srinagar, state capital of Jammu and Kashmir state, recorded a low of minus 5.2 degrees. Cities in Punjab's state also recorded their coldest temperatures in the past several years.

"The winters have set in very early this year. It has never been this cold in December," said Sushma Sahay, a housewife in New Delhi.

Scores of poor and homeless huddled around fires to get some respite from the biting cold.

The weather office said cold winds from the Himalayan region as well as from desert regions in Rajasthan had brought down temperatures. The cold-wave conditions would persist until mid-week, officials said. - Sapa-dpa

- SAPA