Indian cold wave (2012)

2012 Indian cold wave

Extreme minimum temperature 16 to 22 December 2012, computer generated contours, based on preliminary data.
Fatalities 92+
Areas affected India

Indian cold wave during the winter months of 2012 killed at least 92 people across the northern and eastern India.[1][2] The drop in temperature had a devastating effect on the hundreds of thousands of homeless people in India.[3]

Most of the dead were homeless and elderly people, living in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Other northern and eastern states such as Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, New Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Tripura were also affected by this cold snap.[2][4] New Delhi has also been gripped by cold weather, with the temperature dipping to 7oC on the Christmas Day and 1oC after New Year.[5]

Although there are shelter homes, these are largely poorly furnished, and the poor who seek shelter are forced to lie on the ground, with no blankets.[2] India Meteorological Department has predicted that the cold spell will continue for a number of days.[5] The weatherman warns that January could bring even harsher cold conditions in India.[2] It is known that a fresh weather-setting western disturbance would start affecting the western Himalayas later in the first week of January. This could bring back the threat of snow and rain for the higher reaches of Northwest India and fog for the Indo-Gangetic plains.[6]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Cold wave disrupts life in north India; death toll reaches 92 in UP". Indian Express. Retrieved 2012-12-31.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Cold wave in north, east India claims over 40 lives". NDTV.com. Retrieved 2012-12-29.
  3. ↑ "Cold wave intensifies, death toll reaches 40". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 2012-12-29.
  4. ↑ "BBC News - North India cold snap kills 25". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2012-12-26.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "25 dead due to intense cold in northern India - Xinhua | English.news.cn". news.xinhuanet.com. Retrieved 2012-12-26.
  6. ↑ Vinson Kurian. "Business Line : Industry & Economy / Agri-biz : Cold day, frost forecast for North-West". Thehindubusinessline.com. Retrieved 2012-12-31.