Schools shut in Tarai to save children from cold

By Our Correspondents,Biratnagar/Inaruwa/Gaur, Jan. 18: In response to the chilling cold wave across the Tarai, schools have been shut in Morang and Sunsari in Koshi and Rautahat in Madhes Province.

According to our Biratnagar correspondent Shashidhar Parajuli, schools in Biratnagar will remain closed for three days. The Biratnagar Metropolitan Corporation issued a public notice, officially declaring the closure of schools from Wednesday to Friday (January 19). Consequently, regular classes will resume only on Sunday, January 21.

The decision to grant a three-day holiday to educational institutions within the metropolitan area is attributed to concerns about potential health risks for students and challenges in carrying out academic activities amid the extreme cold weather.  

The Terai district, including Morang, has experienced a noticeable drop in temperature due to the ongoing cold wave.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the temperature in Biratnagar hovered around 9 degrees Celsius, and on Wednesday, it registered at approximately 12 degrees Celsius. Krishna Bhattarai, the officer of the educational administration division of the metropolitan city, said that any further decisions would be contingent upon a reassessment of the situation after three days.

The metropolitan authorities are closely monitoring the weather conditions, and additional updates or decisions will be communicated as needed, read the notice. It is advised for students, parents, and the community to stay informed about any developments through official channels during this temporary school closure.

Meanwhile in Inaruwa, responding to the cold weather and the effects of fog, several local levels;  in Sunsari have decided to temporarily close schools. Itahari Sub-metropolitan City has announced the suspension of school activities until January 19. With the winter conditions intensifying in recent days, the municipalities and sub-metropolitan cities jointly declared a three-day closure of schools, prioritising the health and well-being of students.

Dilliraj Niraual, the head of the education branch, said that Inaruwa Municipality had initially declared the closure until January 16. 

However, given the unabated cold weather, a subsequent decision was made to extend the school closure until January 19. Majority of schools in Sunsari, covering areas such as Inaruwa, Itahari, and Gadhi, have temporarily shut down due to the cold wave.

Meanwhile, Dron Prasad Dahal, the education officer of the sub-metropolitan city, informed that schools in the Itahari would also be closed until January 19. 

A directive has been issued to all community, religious, and child development centres, instructing them to close schools during this period as part of the annual vacation. The official notice read, “Due to the ongoing extreme cold and cold wave affecting daily teaching activities, an accumulated fifty annual leave days will be deducted till January 19 within this Sub-metropolitan City. Children's development centres are also advised to adhere to this directive.

The severe cold has presented challenges for locals residing in various areas, including Duhawi, Inaruwa, Bhokraha Narsingha, Koshi, Harinagar, Dewanganj, Gadhi, Ramdhuni, Itahari, Dharan, Barahakshetra and others, hindering their ability to venture outside their homes.

Similarly, Rautahat district is also currently grappling with harsh weather conditions characterised by extreme cold and thick fog over the past two weeks, significantly impacting daily life, especially for children and the elderly. Deepak Shrestha of Munali Child Academy in Gaur, reported school was closed in compliance with Gaur Municipality's directive, prompted by the intensifying cold.

Uday Devkota, the head of the Land Revenue Office in Rautahat, noted a significant decline in pedestrian activity on the streets as people opt to stay indoors, venturing out only for essential tasks.

The increasing number of patients seeking treatment due to the cold wave has resulted in a surge in health institutions' occupancy. 

The Provincial Hospital Gaur reported an uptick in patients, spanning from children affected by winter ailments to the elderly. Dr. Rajesh Singh, Chief Physician of the emergency department, highlighted a rise in cases of pneumonia, cold-related diarrhoea in children, and respiratory issues such as asthma and cough among the elderly.

Dr. Singh strongly advised individuals to limit outdoor activities, don warm clothing, use blankets, and ensure access to heating sources to mitigate the impact of the cold.

Similarly, Jagannath Keshari, President of the Civil Society, appealed to all 18 municipalities to organise the distribution of firewood in the Bajaria area and urban regions. This initiative aims to provide relief and protect the community from the escalating winter conditions.