Environment

Chill kills 80 in U.P. India: Not Nature But Poverty to Blame

by Amitjha | January 13, 2009 at 04:28 am

143 views | 42 Recommendations | 9 comments

The temperature is not so low that it can cause anyone to die, then what it can be? It is just lack of resources , that kills this these poor heart.Everybody is destined to cover the journey from womb to tomb , but nobody would like to finish this journey because of chilly weather.The lowering temperature is making this journey fast for the poor masses of most populous state of India.According to the latest figure 80 people died because of chilly weather.

With four more deaths due to severe cold, the toll this season rose to 80 in Uttar Pradesh, where Muzaffarnagar remained the coldest

place with a low of 4.7 degree Celsius.

One death each was reported from Bijnore, Muzaffarnagar, Meerut and Baghpat districts, reports reaching here said.

According to the Met Department, Muzaffarnagar remained the coldest in the state with 4.7 degree C.

The state capital recorded a minimum of 9 degree C, which was two notches above normal, giving some relief to citizens.

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gerrypopplestone

at 06:10 on January 13th, 2009

Great post, Amitjha - as always I enjoy reading what you write. We in the Global North take our heating for granted. And people like me (who is truly ancient; 104 last birthday!) feel the cold more easily. There is nothing worse than dying in an undignified way in old age. Ive seen too many people die like that in Sri Lanka (it's worse in Thailand because of the lack of cheap health services), with none of their families able to do anything to help them.

All the best, Gerry (105 next birthday - I think, but sometimes I get a bit confused!)

Amitjha

at 21:42 on January 13th, 2009

You have strongly faced not one two but 104 winters, people die ......ultimate truth of nature.But the point is, it should natural not by the man made disater.War , poverty, hunger just few of them that kills millions before natural death.

gerrypopplestone

at 06:09 on January 13th, 2009

Just one small point: you Indians take it for granted that we in the rest of the world list all 29 Indian states with ease! Most of us are hugely ignorant about their names and where they are in relation to each other. So it would help for you to put Uttar Pradesh in the title and to remind us (because we dont know!) which part of India that is! Most of us are so used to thinking of India as one big place - all the same all over! Gerry

Amitjha

at 21:44 on January 13th, 2009

I will take care of that Gerry.

Paschen

at 07:52 on January 13th, 2009

Good Post and Gerry does make a great point here as well in both Comments.

Thank you Amitjha.

Amy Judd

at 11:13 on January 13th, 2009

I have moved this to Environment as that is where the weather stories live. Thanks.

Amitjha

at 21:46 on January 13th, 2009

The story was more about death, thats why i posted it on world page.What should be the place of Earthquake related news, even when it is not a disaster?

streetcorner

at 13:22 on January 13th, 2009

In the small village of Mubarespur, a few hours from Agra, the water situation is dire. The water pump that the government started installing years ago lays broken, abandoned. Only a private pump, much more expensive, allows the farmers who can afford it to irrigate their field. For the less fortunate ones, and for more domestic uses, the only other alternative is to go fetch water from a neighbouring village. From dawn till dusk, a line of girls and women - pots on the head - ensure that the tanks at home do not run empty.

streetcorner has contributed a photo to this story.