19/12/2008

Bihar cold wave death toll rises to 24

 

Patna, Dec 19 :At least six more people died in Bihar as the temperature dipped drastically in the last few days, officials said Friday. The death toll in the state this winter has now risen to 24.

Of the six deaths reported since Thursday, three were in East Champaran district, two in Vaishali district and one in Sheohar district.

In the state capital here, a dense fog Friday morning was followed by a cloudy sky and chilly winds.

The weather has affected the schedule of several trains and flights.

Weather department officials said Bihar would witness cold wave conditions in the coming days and the minimum temperature is likely to drop below 10 degrees Celsius.

Taking into account the weather conditions, Bihar public school and children welfare association have urged the district administrations to reschedule school hours. Most English medium schools are closing for winter vacation Saturday.

Alav for the poor: Nitish Kumar near Engineering College Chauraha , Patna on 18th Dec., 2008.Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has asked district officials to light more bonfires and distribute blankets among the poor.

Many poor people, mostly rickshaw pullers, labourers and beggars, spend the nights under the open sky.

The 18 deaths reported earlier were in Muzaffarpur, Chapra, Madhubani, Begusarai, Gaya Patna and Darbhanga districts.

(IANS)

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