Wintry cold front takes its toll on locals

(China Daily)
Updated: 2006-12-20 09:09

The first cold front this winter brought temperatures down to 4C in the northern New Territories, Hong Kong, and 12C in urban areas early yesterday. Many people in the mountainous northern New Territories said they had difficulty sleeping because of the cold weather.

Six people were admitted to hospitals for treatment due to the low temperatures, with one woman in her 80s in a critical condition and four others in a serious condition. One person is in a stable condition.

At least 300 homeless people have been moved into temporary shelters provided by the government.

And about 1,000 senior citizens used their electronic safety alarms to call for help over the past 24 hours, with more than 60 of them taken to hospital.

The Hong Kong Observatory issued a warning last weekend about the coming cold spell and kept it effective yesterday, saying the weather will remain cool throughout the week.