Malda, Jan. 22: Malda shivered today as the mercury dipped to 4.5 degrees Celsius, the lowest in the last 50 years.

The district recorded its lowest temperature of 5.4 degrees Celsius on January 9.

An unprecedented cold wave that had Malda in its grips for over a month has taken a toll on man and beast alike. More than 12 persons have been claimed by the cold.

Adding to the count today, of the 12 persons admitted to Malda sadar hospital, three, all of them above 50 years, succumbed to the cold.

Fourteen deer in the Adina Deer Park also had to be administered veterinary aid.

The block development officers have been ordered to distribute woollens among the people living below the poverty line through the panchayats.

District magistrate Ashok Bala, however, denied deaths in the district due to the current cold wave.