Police believe the man, possibly a traveler given a bus ticket recovered from his possessions, succumbed to hypothermia after sleeping outdoors in inadequate clothing. His rigid posture indicated prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures.
This marks Ambikapur's second cold-related death in 22 days. On December 11, another person died while sleeping exposed at the local bus stand.
Northern Chhattisgarh remains gripped by a severe cold wave, with Ambikapur recording the state's lowest minimum of 5.4°C in the past 24 hours. Durg logged the highest at 29.8°C.
Frost blanketed grasslands and plants in high-altitude areas like Mainpat and Surguja plateau, turning dew droplets into ice. Dense fog shrouded highways, including the Ambikapur-Banaras route.
The meteorological department forecasts scattered light drizzle over one or two places due to a western disturbance over northern Pakistan and Punjab. Rain may persist for two days, with dense fog likely in patches.Minimum temperatures could rise 1-2°C in the next 48 hours but drop 2-3°C thereafter, prolonging the chill. Cold wave conditions lingered in parts of Durg division.
Hospitals report surging cases among children. Over 400 hypothermia incidents hit infants in Raipur's Ambedkar and private facilities last month. Pediatricians note newborns, especially C-section babies, cool faster due to underdeveloped muscles. Symptoms include sudden body cooling below normal. Severe cases require NICU or SNCU admission.
OPDs overflow with viral fever, cough, and cold patients — over 600 daily at Ambedkar Hospital across medicine, pediatrics, and chest departments. Raipur municipal corporation lit bonfires at over a dozen spots overnight for the homeless and passersby. Officials monitor arrangements on Mayor Meenal Chaubey and Commissioner Vishwadeep's orders.
Health authorities issued advisories urging warm clothing, limited outdoor travel, and precautions against temperature swings that heighten risks of colds, fever — and malaria as mosquitoes thrive in current conditions. Doctors recommend mosquito nets, coils, full-sleeve attire, and stagnant water removal to curb breeding.
