NEW DELHI: With more deaths reported from Himachal Pradesh on Jan 18 the toll in the current cold wave sweeping the state rose to 96 even as mercury dipped in the other north Indian states of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
Over 300 people have so far died in the cold wave.
The tribal areas of Kinnaur Lahaul Spiti Pangi and Bharmour continued to shiver under severe chill though the lower areas in Himachal Pradesh enjoyed some sunshine.
The night temperature in Kaza the headquarters of Spiti valley plunged to minus 32 degrees Celsius the twin valleys recorded subzero temperature ranging between minus 15 to minus 30 degrees.
One body was recovered from the Bagra orchards in the state capital of Shimla which alone accounted for 19 deaths so far.
In Rajasthan the mercury level dropped to two degree Celsius at Churu and Sikhar while the minimum temperature of three degree Celsius was recorded at Ganganagar and Pilani.
The cold wave persisted in Uttar Pradesh too with no sign of improvement forecast for the next 24 hours. The lowest temperature in the plains in the state was recorded at 4 degrees Celsius at the airport in the state capital of Lucknow while night temperature fell in Lucknow division and changed little elsewhere in the state there was no respite from the cold wave in Delhi which had some sunshine during the day.
Article extracted from this publication >> January 25, 1991
