Bhawanipatna: Hundreds of birds including pigeons and hens were found dead Sunday in various parts of T Rampur block in Kalahandi district due to a stiff fall in night temperature.
The mercury hovering around 0 degree Celsius for the last three days in most parts of the block has caused the bird deaths, locals said.
On the other hand, people are finding it difficult to even stay indoors due to the extreme cold. Most families are spending the nights around bonfires to battle the chill.
Apart from Bhawanipatna, people in Lanjigarh, M Rampur, Narla, Kalampur, Junagarh and Koksara blocks are also affected by the cold wave. Elderly persons, students of Ashram schools and homeless people in these areas are the worst-affected, it was learnt.
According to reports, people find it difficult to come outdoors before 10 am as the temperature is constantly dipping in the hilly regions of these blocks.
The night temperature had reduced to 0 degree Saturday in some areas of T Rampur block, said some locals. This has resulted in the death of hundreds of birds in several villages including Barmalguda, Dammunda, Dumerpadar, Karkaudi, Sanderla villages under Dumerpadar panchayat, Bissamgiri, Taljhapi, Uparjhapi, Ranipadar, Maskaguda, Lanjijada villages under Taljhapi panchayat, Kakelpadar, Biribada, Ardi, Pengjuci Dalguda villagesunder Ardi panchayat, Dhurmisi, Kanarpas, Suryagarh, Kendumundi villages under Gopinathpur panchayat, Tentulipadar, Bhidar Duga, Ghutukhal, Jhijri village under Podapadar panchayat and scores of villages under other panchayats.
Besides, many aging persons and children were seen suffering from infections due to the cold. Their condition would worsen if the cold wave continues for a few more days.
Zilla Parishad member Muralidhar Nayak demanded immediate supply of winter clothes to the affected people by the administration. PNN