Over 125 Dead as North India Reels under Cold Wave
More than 125 people have reportedly died of cold waves in north Indian states with mercury continually dipping down and the upper reaches of Himachal Pradesh and the Kashmir valley witnessing snowfall.
In last 24 hours, nearly 40 deaths from reported from Uttar Pradesh. Eight people died in Bihar and two in Haryana.
Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar has ordered all schools to be closed for next three days in view of the cold.
Rajasthan witnessed light showers and further dip in temperature with Pilani and Dholpur recording a minimum temperature of seven degree Celsius. Temperature is below ten in rest of the state.
In Punjab, all schools have been closed till January 8 due to cold.
According to the Meteorological department, heavy snowfalls in the upper reaches of Himachal Pradesh have led to the cold waves.
In Uttarakhand, rains and snowfall intensified the cold conditions affecting normal life.
Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 9.6 degree Celsius, while morning mist reduced visibility to 1,000 meters, but there was no disruption in flight operations at the Indira Gandhi airport.
The traffic was suspended on the 300 kilometer Srinagar-Jammu national highway on Monday due to slippery conditions caused by heavy snowfall, leaving hundreds of trucks, passenger buses and tourist vehicles stranded.
