A big chill is sweeping across North and South Asia and even parts of Southeast Asia. From India to Japan the mercury is plummeting in some places to its lowest in decades.<br/><br/>Officials said they recorded the lowest temperature in Hong Kong in nearly six decades 3.1 degrees Celsius in urban areas.<br/><br/>The deep chill prompted hundreds of firefighters to rescue stranded hikers, with more than 80 people injured and suffering from hypothermia.<br/><br/>A record-breaking cold snap has hit much of China as well and turned some of the country's scenic spots into a winter wonderland.<br/><br/>State broadcaster CCTV said temperatures hit minus 41 degrees Celsius in the north on Saturday, the coldest level recorded since 1961.<br/><br/>Throughout the country, crews worked to clear snow-covered roads with many homes left without power.<br/><br/>In Taiwan, 85 had died as of Sunday evening as a result of the freezing conditions, including 35 deaths in Taoyuan in the island's north, local media reported.<br/><br/>Most of the casualties were the result of hypothermia from the rapidly dropping temperatures, the Taoyuan City Fire Department said.<br/><br/>In Taipei, the temperature dropped to 4 degrees on Sunday, the lowest recorded temperature in the capital for 44 years.<br/><br/>Heavy snow blanketed the western and northern coasts of Japan over the weekend, lowering visibility and disrupting traffic. <br/><br/>Snowfall was also observed in the subtropical Amami Island in southern Japan for the first time in 115 years.<br/><br/>Close to 90,000 people were stranded on the South Korean resort island of Jeju on Sunday after the biggest snowfall in three decades shut the airport for the third straight day. <br/><br/>The capital Seoul recorded its coldest day in 15 years on Sunday, when the temperature fell to minus 18 degrees Celsius.<br/><br/>Parts of North India shivered too as the mercury hit minus 16.6 degrees Celsius.<br/><br/>The national capital New Delhi was not spared with the temperature dipping below 5 degrees over the weekend.<br/><br/>The cold wave began on Friday, with fog causing delays at Indira Gandhi International Airport and forcing cancellations of train services in the capital.

A big chill is sweeping across North and South Asia and even parts of Southeast Asia. From India to Japan the mercury is plummeting in some places to its lowest in decades.<br/><br/>Officials said they recorded the lowest temperature in Hong Kong in nearly six decades 3.1 degrees Celsius in urban areas.<br/><br/>The deep chill prompted hundreds of firefighters to rescue stranded hikers, with more than 80 people injured and suffering from hypothermia.<br/><br/>A record-breaking cold snap has hit much of China as well and turned some of the country's scenic spots into a winter wonderland.<br/><br/>State broadcaster CCTV said temperatures hit minus 41 degrees Celsius in the north on Saturday, the coldest level recorded since 1961.<br/><br/>Throughout the country, crews worked to clear snow-covered roads with many homes left without power.<br/><br/>In Taiwan, 85 had died as of Sunday evening as a result of the freezing conditions, including 35 deaths in Taoyuan in the island's north, local media reported.<br/><br/>Most of the casualties were the result of hypothermia from the rapidly dropping temperatures, the Taoyuan City Fire Department said.<br/><br/>In Taipei, the temperature dropped to 4 degrees on Sunday, the lowest recorded temperature in the capital for 44 years.<br/><br/>Heavy snow blanketed the western and northern coasts of Japan over the weekend, lowering visibility and disrupting traffic. <br/><br/>Snowfall was also observed in the subtropical Amami Island in southern Japan for the first time in 115 years.<br/><br/>Close to 90,000 people were stranded on the South Korean resort island of Jeju on Sunday after the biggest snowfall in three decades shut the airport for the third straight day. <br/><br/>The capital Seoul recorded its coldest day in 15 years on Sunday, when the temperature fell to minus 18 degrees Celsius.<br/><br/>Parts of North India shivered too as the mercury hit minus 16.6 degrees Celsius.<br/><br/>The national capital New Delhi was not spared with the temperature dipping below 5 degrees over the weekend.<br/><br/>The cold wave began on Friday, with fog causing delays at Indira Gandhi International Airport and forcing cancellations of train services in the capital.