LUCKNOW, Dec. 28 -- To prevent cold-related deaths among the homeless, the Uttar Pradesh urban development department has directed that all night shelters across the state be formally linked with nearby hospitals and dispensaries to ensure immediate medical intervention during emergencies.

The directive comes amid an intense cold wave gripping the state, with authorities noting that a lack of timely medical care -- rather than shortage of blankets alone -- often proves fatal for vulnerable groups such as the elderly, the sick and the destitute.

Urban development minister AK Sharma said night shelters must function as medical response points during winter emergencies. "Shelters cannot be reduced to mere spaces for distributing blankets. ...