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http://www.shanghaidaily.com/sp/article/2009/200901/20090104/article_386878.htm
Cold spell claims 14 homeless in India
Created: 2009-1-4
A BITTER, near-freezing cold has killed at least 14 homeless people in northern India since the new year began, a government official said yesterday.
Two bodies were found near the railroad track in Banda, a town 280 kilometers southwest of Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh state, a government spokesman said.
The other cold-related deaths were reported in Sultanpur, Jaunpur and Rae Bareli districts, the spokesman said.
The deaths occurred as evening temperatures dipped to 4 degrees Celsius in New Delhi and other parts of northern India because of westerly winds, said the India Meteorological Department.
Winters are short and mild in South Asia, with overnight temperatures in Uttar Pradesh usually around 7 degrees Celsius at this time of year.
Many homeless burned rubber tires and waste cardboard to stay warm. There were 151 cold-related deaths last year.
Two bodies were found near the railroad track in Banda, a town 280 kilometers southwest of Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh state, a government spokesman said.
The other cold-related deaths were reported in Sultanpur, Jaunpur and Rae Bareli districts, the spokesman said.
The deaths occurred as evening temperatures dipped to 4 degrees Celsius in New Delhi and other parts of northern India because of westerly winds, said the India Meteorological Department.
Winters are short and mild in South Asia, with overnight temperatures in Uttar Pradesh usually around 7 degrees Celsius at this time of year.
Many homeless burned rubber tires and waste cardboard to stay warm. There were 151 cold-related deaths last year.
Agencies
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