Cold wave to hit Chin State and northern Arakan State

Friday, 14 January 2011 12:32 Myo Thant

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – A cold wave is forecast to sweep across Chin State and northern Arakan State on Saturdday and Sunday, according to Burmese meteorologist Tun Lwin.

The cold wave, with temperatures four to six degrees Celsius below average, is forecast to move from Bangladesh across Burma.

The high temperature in Arakan State and Chin State on Thursday was 18 degrees Celsius (64 F) and 20 degrees Celsius (68 F), respectively.

In December, a cold wave that swept northern Shan State killed four people in Namtu Township in Mu Se District.

The regional weather pattern has created cold waves in India with record low temperatures in some areas.

The cold weather is forecast to continue in eastern and northern India until Wednesday. In Kolkata, the temperature dropped to the lowest level in seven years.

In Uttar Pradesh State in India, the temperature dropped to 1 degree Celsius (33 F) on Thursday, and 13 people died. The temperature dropped to 1 degree Celsius (33 F) in Agra, India, the location of the Taj Mahal.

The death toll from India’s months-long cold wave has risen to nearly 130 people.