At least 239 people have died from the cold in Bangladesh where the winter has claimed a bigger than usual number of lives, newspapers said.

Some 86 new deaths occurred in the past two days with children, the elderly and homeless hardest hit, the New Age newspaper said.

The Bangladeshi government has not provided any official figures.

On average, 100 people die from the cold annually in Bangladesh.

Neighbouring India's death toll from the cold weather that has gripped the north of the country over the past three weeks stood at 274, while it totalled at least 48 in Nepal, according to government officials and newspapers.

Indian authorities were lighting public bonfires to help the homeless keep warm. They also were distributing blankets and shawls and trying to provide emergency shelter.

Dense fog accompanying the cold has led to numerous traffic accidents and deaths.

The winter takes a heavy toll each year in South Asia where houses are built to cope with scorching summers during which temperatures can soar to 49 degrees Celsius (120 Fahrenheit).

Last winter's cold spell killed almost 1,400 people in India and scores more elsewhere.

TERRA.WIRE