Scorching heat affects life across Tarai

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, May.1: Heatwaves have been affecting normal life across the Tarai region as well as the urban areas of the hills for the past few days.

The temperatures have reached more than 40 degrees Celsius in various Tarai cities like Bhairahawa in Rupandehi district, Dumkowli in Nawalpur, Gaur in Rautahat, Sarlahi, Janakpur in Dhanusha and Nepalgunj in Banke for the past few days. 

According to Ganga Nagarkoti, a senior meteorologist at the Meteorological Forecast Division under the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, there is no chance of rainfall for another few days.

Tarai districts are now affected by the heatwave, but it is not a typical ‘loo.’ 

Nagarkoti said, “The loo is a strong, dusty, gusty, hot and dry summer wind from the west, which blows over the Indo-Gangetic Plain region of North India, Rajasthan in India, and  Pakistan. However, currently, we are experiencing locally developed heat originated from Rajasthan, and we call it heatwave or heat wind.”

On Tuesday, Kathmandu recorded maximum temperature at 33.2 degrees Celsius, Pokhara at 33.8 degrees Celsius and Ghorahi 37.2 degrees Celsius. 

Similarly, the temperature in Dipayal climbed to 37.2 degrees Celsius while in Dadeldhura it was recorded at 28.8 degrees Celsius.  Dhangadi recorded 40.7 degrees Celsius, Nepalgunj 40.8 degrees Celsius, Janakpur 41.5 degrees Celsius, Simara 40.5 degrees Celsius and Birendranagar 38.3 degrees Celsius.

According to our Bhairawa correspondent Laxman Poudel, the scorching heat has made daily life extremely difficult in the Tarai districts including Rupendehi. From early morning, the scorching heat accompanied by dry winds has made life difficult.

In Bhairawa, the temperature has been ranging between 40 to 42 degrees Celsius in recent days. The extreme heat has caused problems for people of all ages, from children to the elderly. On Tuesday, the temperature in Bhairawa was recorded at 42.6 degrees Celsius.

The combination of dry winds and intense heat has affected the daily livelihoods of labourers. Due to the scorching heat, it is becoming increasingly difficult for farmers to work in the fields during the daytime, said Dol raj Basyal of Tilottama-15. The heat has left the roads deserted, he added.

Because of the lack of rainfall, the air quality has deteriorated, leading to various health problems among people. 

According to Surendra Adhikari, the manager of Bhim Hospital in Bhairawa, along with the increasing heat, the hospital is witnessing a rise in cases of heatstroke, dehydration, fever, and skin allergies among patients. Hospitals are currently facing an overwhelming number of patients.

Doctors are urging people to stay hydrated and avoid going out during peak heat hours to prevent exhaustion, weakness, sunburn, headaches, dizziness and fainting.

Meanwhile, our Nepagunj correspondent Siraj Khan reported that the Nepal Red Cross Society's branch in Banke has initiated a volunteer-driven campaign going door-to-door to alert the public about the increasing risk of heatwaves.

With temperatures soaring and heatwaves becoming more frequent in the Tarai districts,  Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City Ward Nos. 21 and 22 have been identified as having high risks of heatwaves. In response, the Red Cross Society in Banke has mobilised volunteers to raise awareness door-to-door.

According to Gobardhan Singh Samjhana, the president of the Red Cross Society in Banke, volunteers are providing informative messages to households where vulnerable individuals such as the elderly, pregnant women, infants, the disabled, and those with chronic health conditions reside. 

Dr. Roma Bora, a paediatrician at the Kanti Arogya Hospital, disclosed that the hospital is receiving 25 to 30 sick children daily, primarily suffering from symptoms like fever, cold, and diarrhoea. 

The Nepalgunj Teaching Hospital co-director, Dr. Roman Kidwai, also corroborated the trend, noting a steady rise in cases of colds and viral flu among children attributed to the extreme heat.

In response to the escalating health concerns, hospitals, including Bheri Hospital, are actively attending to numerous patients affected by the heat, striving to provide necessary medical care.