Schools in Itahari of Sunsari have been closed due to the cold wave. Jhauridevi Chamar, 32, of Gaur VDC-9, Amirilal Sah, 60, of Jagnagar VDC-2 and Shukhat Sah Kanu of Hatyae VDC-4 of Sarlahi district succumbed to cold wave on Friday. [break]
Police said Chamar and Kanu died Friday morning while Sah died in the same evening.
Rautahat, Sarlahi and Mahotari districts remain badly hit by cold wave since the past week. "Sun has become a rare sight throughout the week," said a local. "Also, the East-West Highway and local markets are seeing reduced movement of people," he added.
Private and government schools in Sunsari remained shut on Sunday and Monday with approval of the District Education Office, Sunsari. "Schools will remain shut for more days if the cold wave lingers on," said Bir Bahadur Khadka, District Education Officer.
Similar is the situation in Lahan of Siraha. "I fear I might die because I will die of hunger if I don´t work and it is too cold to venture outside," said Palta Sada, a rickshaw puller. He is the sole bread winner of a five-member family. "The warmth of summer is always a blessing for people like us," he added.
Doctors said cold causes difficulty in breathing among the children and elderly people and those suffering from asthma have to take special precations.
According to Dr Daya Shankar Lal Karna, medical superintendent at the District Hospital, Siraha, the hospital has lately seen rise in the number of patients with cold-related prolems including fever, respiratory problems and pneumonia among other things.
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