4 die of cold wave in northern India

NEW DELHI, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Four people have died due to cold wave in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, officials said on Friday.

"All the deaths took place in the state's Muzaffarnagar and Shamli districts in the past 12 hours. Parts of the state bordering the Indian capital recorded as low as 3.4 degrees Celsius between late Thursday night and early Friday morning," an official said.

In Muzaffarnagar, a 70-year-old man died due to sweeping cold conditions in Miranpur town and a 40-year-old man succumbed to cold in Jansath town. A 50-year-old daily wager also died in the district's Biharighar village, he said.

Similarly, a 48-year-old died of intense cold near the Shamli railway station. "All the bodies have been kept in district mortuaries," the official said.

Large parts of northern India, including the national capital, have been witnessing intense cold conditions and enveloped by a thick blanket of fog particularly during the mornings since New Year's day. Enditem