As the scorching heat continues to grip our nation, it is imperative that the government takes immediate and effective measures to address the escalating heat wave and its detrimental effects. The recent warnings issued by the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM) should not be taken lightly, as they indicate that the temperature is likely to rise further in the coming days, affecting not only the Terai region but also the valley and hill areas.

Nepal’s Tarai plains have always suffered—from floods and inundation during the rainy months, from heat wave during summer and from cold wave during winter months. In almost all the cases people from the low-income bracket—such as Dalits and marginalized communities—have to bear the brunt.  It is no different this winter.

BRUSSELS, July 26: Belgium suffered a first death as a direct result of the record-breaking heat wave when a woman was found dead near her caravan close to the beach.

AMSTERDAM, July 25: Temperatures in the Netherlands topped 40 degrees Celsius for the first time on record on Thursday, Dutch meteorology institute KNMI said.

BERLIN, July 25: Europeans cooled off in public fountains Wednesday as a new heat wave spread across parts of the continent and was already breaking records.

ANCHORAGE, July 1: Alaska’s heat wave is driving wildfires and melting glaciers, choking the state’s biggest cities with smoke and bloating rivers with meltwater.

BANKE, May 10: A heat wave has affected life in some western Tarai districts including the city of Nepalgunj. Nepalgunj recorded highest maximum temperature of 43 degrees Celsius so far on Thursday, according to the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology, Nepalgunj.

KATHMANDU, April 8: The Tarai-Madhes is facing a growing risk of heat waves.