First frost in 70 years hampers New Delhi

The Indian capital, New Delhi, had its first winter frost since 1935 on Monday as a cold snap swept down from the Himalayas.

It's part of a cold wave that has killed more than 130 people in India in the past month and afflicted other areas of Asia.

Homeless migrant workers warm themselves at a bonfire at a roadside in New Delhi, India on Sunday. (CP Photo)

Meteorological Department officials said the temperature in New Delhi early Monday morning dipped to 0.2 C for the first time in 70 years.

The cold prompted officials to order all schools to close for three days.

Frost on power lines caused blackouts in large areas of the city, which is the second largest in the country.

People at bus stops and train stations, as well as some of the city's thousands of homeless people, built bonfires to stay warm.

Forecasters said the cooler weather, which is about eight degrees colder than normal, would likely last another two days.

They said it stemmed from north-westerly winds blowing down from the Himalayas.

Indian authorities have blamed 137 deaths on the cold wave, mostly in the state of Uttar Pradesh.

Japan has seen record snowfalls linked to nearly 70 deaths, while Bangladesh has also linked several deaths to the cold.

In China, officials said thousands of people were forced to flee their homes after roofs collapsed under heavy snow and some cattle froze to death.

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