Bhopal:
After five years, Bhopal is witnessing one of the coldest winters in the month of December. The temperature has dipped to an all-time low and the chill has spread across the state.
A minimum of 7.7 degrees is not something Bhopal is used to, or prepared for. The worst hit are children living on the street, beggars and the homeless.
Among these, three children have decided to spend the night on a cart for the use of which they're being charged Rs 10. Their only source of warmth is each other's company.
"All three of us sleep using one shawl. We huddle together, and sometimes we don't sleep at all; we light a chappal and sit around it," the kids said.
There are four shelter homes in Bhopal, but these people a roof is a luxury they can't afford.
"In the shelter homes they ask us for Rs 25. I don't even have money for food, I am very hungry," said one of the homeless.
December 16 was the coldest night in the last five years in Bhopal. The administration says that arrangements for community bonfires have been made but a reality check shows there was no such arrangement. The bitter winter chill has started claiming victims in Madhya Pradesh.
A homeless man in Tikamgarh, two labourers in Damoh, and a beggar in Jabalpur have lost their lives so far. Others on the streets say their only hope is prayer.