By IANS
Ranchi : The intense cold in Jharkhand has claimed more than 35 lives so far this year.
The temperature in Ranchi dipped up to 3.2 degrees Celsius Saturday, while it was just one degrees at Kake and Mcluskiganj. Kake is situated on the outskirts of Ranchi and Mcluskiganj is around 70 km from the state capital.
Due to the cold wave, the Ranchi district administration had four days ago directed schools to remain closed till Monday. The situation will be reviewed Monday.
In Ranchi alone more than nine people have lost their lives due to the cold. In Hazaribagh more than 13 people have died. The other victims are from Gumla, Garwah, Chatra, Jamshedpur, besides other districts.
This year, the Jharkhand government did not distribute blankets to the poor, unlike earlier when the labour department would distribute blankets.
“This year we allocated the funds to the district administration. Now the administration will purchase blankets and distribute among the needy,” said S.K. Chaudhary, labour secretary.