A thick fog has covered the district headquarters Gaighat and adjoining areas of the inner Tarai since the last week of November.Due to the chilling weather triggered by the dense fog, which has started some two months earlier than the previous year, children and the elderly have been severely affected.
"Unlike during previous years, this time the fog and mist started since November-end," Gopal Danuwar, an elderly from Gaighat, said. He complained that the chilling temperature has made life particularly difficult for him.
Locals in the district said that dense fog starts at 8 in the evening and lingers until 11 in the morning. Though the sun shines during the day the locals said it is not warm enough due to the fog. Poor visibility caused by the fog has also affected transport in the district.
According to Himali Yatayat Entrepreneurs Association, the dense fog has affected all means of transport -- from light vehicles to heavy vehicles like buses and trucks. Laxman Budathoki, an employee of the Association that the drivers have to use foglights till 11 in the morning.
The District Traffic Police Office said the risk of accidents in the district has increased due to the thick fog. Lok Bahadur Diyali of the traffic police office suggested drivers to use fog lights and drive slowly.
Also, the health facilities across the district have said patients of cold-related ailments have increased over the past few weeks.
Chuman Lal Das, superintendent at the district hospital said about 200 patients of cold related ailments like common cold and viral fever have been visiting the hospital every day. He informed that the number of patients has risen to two-fold compared to the previous month. Children of under 15 years and the elderly have been the most affected, according to Das.
Doctors have advised people to use warm water and wear warm clothes and take precautionary measures against possible cold-related illnesses such as pneumonia, asthma, bronchitis, etc, as the health facilities lack essential drugs due to the Indian blockade.
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