Life in Tarai Madhes affected due to cold wave, dense fog

Jaleshwar (Mahottari), Dec 31: Life has been affected in the Madhes with the onset of a cold wave in the region of late.    

The cold wave and dense fog cover since some days back has also affected the livestock and crops, said 80-year-old Bahadur Mahara of Jaleshwar Municipality-8.    
Anil Sah, a farmer of Jaleshwar-4, echoed Mahara and said the cold wave has impacted the normal life of the people. There are fewer people and activities in the urban areas, including the district headquarters of Jaleshwar, and the rural areas in Mahottari district.    

Sale of tea and warm clothes has increased in various markets in the district due to the cold, said Suresh Sah, who operates a tea shop at Jaleshwar-2.    

The number of patients suffering from cough and cold and respiratory ailments has also increased at the health posts and the District Hospital, according to doctors. Dr Rabindra Saha said that children, the elderly people and new mothers are mostly affected by the increasing cold.    

Local governments in the district have arranged for lighting fires at various locations targeting the underprivileged and the needy to protect them from cold. There are 10 municipalities and five rural municipalities in Mahottari district.    

The cold wave has adverse impact on the lentil, oilseed and vegetable crops, complained Umesh Mandal, a farmer at Jaleshwar-11.