Lucknow

Amid a severe cold wave that is sweeping through north India, authorities in Lucknow's Nawab Wajid Ali Shah Zoological Garden have taken precautionary measures to help zoo inmates survive the extreme cold.

"As winter sets in, we start giving more nutrition-rich food to animals and make arrangements for them to cope with the cold weather," Lucknow Zoo Deputy Director Utkarsh Shukla said.  

Zoo authorities have installed heaters for pythons to keep them warm in the freezing months. Other animals have also got blankets. On Tuesday, Lucknow recorded a minimum of 8 degrees Celsius.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert predicting a 'cold wave to severe cold wave' in numerous states and union territories.