The Aryavarth Express
Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh):
As a severe cold wave continues to affect large parts of northern India, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has appealed to the public to remain calm and show compassion toward those most affected by the extreme weather. He said the state government is responding with sensitivity and urgency to minimise hardship during the harsh winter.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, the Chief Minister said officials across Uttar Pradesh have been directed to adopt a humane, people-first approach while implementing relief measures. He stressed that safeguarding every life during the winter season is a top priority for the government.
Adityanath said night shelters across the state are operating at full capacity to support the homeless and vulnerable. These shelters have been equipped with quilts, blankets, drinking water, bonfires and heaters. He added that students and relatives of patients arriving from other districts are also being accommodated.
Municipal bodies and tehsil administrations have been mobilised to distribute blankets and woollen clothing to those in need. Bonfires have been arranged at prominent public places to provide warmth during the night, with assurances that no one will be left exposed to the cold.
Special arrangements have also been made for cow shelters, including additional blankets and bonfires to protect animals from the falling temperatures.
To tackle safety issues arising from dense fog, the state has deployed extra personnel on roads and launched awareness campaigns aimed at preventing accidents.
Emphasising the role of public participation, the Chief Minister urged citizens to assist in relief efforts by checking on domestic helpers, sanitation workers, security guards and others working outdoors, and ensuring they have adequate protection. He noted that small acts—such as offering tea or guiding people to government-run night shelters—can make a meaningful difference.
“The true test of human values and empathy comes at such times,” Adityanath said.
Highlighting the government’s broader vision, he said Uttar Pradesh is progressing with a commitment to Antyodaya—upliftment of the poorest—towards Sarvodaya, the welfare of all, adding that inclusive governance and citizen participation remain central to the state’s development goals.
Earlier, several parts of Uttar Pradesh witnessed dense fog and plunging temperatures. On Saturday, temperatures dropped to around 9°C in multiple cities. Ayodhya was enveloped in thick fog, severely reducing visibility, with the minimum temperature recorded at 8°C and a maximum of 17°C, according to the India Meteorological Department. In Moradabad, residents relied on bonfires and heavy clothing as temperatures fell to 9°C, with the day’s maximum expected to be around 18°C.
