Cold wave claims 11 lives in Bihar

PATNA - At least 11 people have died of the intense cold wave and icy winds sweeping across Bihar in the last couple of days. Weather officials Monday said the chill would continue for the next few days.

“The cold wave has claimed 11 lives and hundreds of people are reportedly suffering from severe cold-induced illnessess,” said an official of the state disaster management department.

Seven people died in Farbisganj in Araria district, two in Sheikhpura and one each in Purnea and Darbhanga.

Muzaffarpur district recorded a minimum temperature of 6 degrees Celsius Monday morning while it was 7 degrees in Purnea and Kishanganj.

An official at the meteorological department here said Patna district recorded a low of 8 degrees Celsius and Gaya was 7.3 degrees.

B.M. Choudhary, a met official, told IANS that apart from the cold wave that has gripped the state, some areas could see some rainfall as well.

“The cold wave conditions are likely to continue and the state may witness some drizzle in the next 48 hours,” the official said.

He added that westerly winds would keep the weather cold for the next two days at least.

In view of the extreme cold weather, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has ordered the disaster management department to arrange bonfires for the poor.

The dense fog has also caused flights delays and led to several long distance trains running late, officials said.

Most of the schools were to reopen after winter vacations Monday but the Patna district administration has extended the holidays by two days due to the cold wave.

People in rural areas also faced intense chill due to icy westerly winds blowing across the state.

While most people preferred to stay indoors, the poor in Patna and Gaya were seen huddled around fires to keep themselves warm in the cloudy, foggy weather.