In an unprecedented move, the Bihar government has declared the current cold wave, which has seen temperatures plunging to 0 degrees in some districts, a natural calamity. All schools and colleges have been ordered closed until further orders.The unofficial death figure in the state due to the cold is estimated to be around 450, though the Relief and Rehabilitation Department is shy of naming a number after severe criticism from Opposition parties. Till five days ago, the official figure was only 2.At a high-level meeting held here today by Chief Minister Rabri Devi, a decision was taken to give Rs 30 crore worth of blankets to those below poverty line, and to those covered by the old-age pension scheme. The government has decided to distribute 20 lakh blankets and has ordered district magistrates to implement the order immediately. Around Rs 1 crore has already been spent on blankets by the state government.Besides, the Forest Department has been directed to make wood reserves available to district magistrates for organising bonfires. Relief Commissioner Navin Verma said district magistrates had been directed to open government buildings like schools and community halls as night shelters for the homeless, including rickshaw-pullers and labourers. In case the buildings were not available, the authorities will provide makeshift arrangements, like tents.There was no let-up in the cold wave in the state today too, with the lowest temperatures registered in major cities of Bihar hovering below the 3-degrees Celsius mark. In the past two days, West Champaran district has registered 0 degrees while Bhagalpur district its lowest temperature in 100 years of 1.2 degrees. Fog has enveloped the state capital for two days, keeping temperatures low.
