Cold spell grips Banke again, viral flu cases rise

By Siraj Khan,Nepalgunj, Feb. 8: Daily life in Banke has again been disrupted as temperatures have dropped sharply over the past few days. The cold spell has increased following last week’s rainfall and snowfall in the hill and mountain districts.

Although the cold had lessened in the last week of January, it has risen again, badly affecting daily life, locals said.

Krishna Prasad Shrestha of Nepalgunj-2 said the cold has made it difficult for people to even step out of their homes. He added that the return of severe cold after a brief respite has made daily life difficult for the general public.

Similarly, Javed Rai of Tribhuvan Chowk, Nepalgunj, said the cold has reduced people’s movement in the markets, affecting trade and business activities. He said very few vehicles, except rickshaws, are operating, and daily wage earners are finding it difficult to work.

With the return of extreme cold, the number of people suffering from seasonal viral flu has also increased. Hospitals in the district report a steady rise in flu patients as temperatures continue to fall.

The Banke Health Office said cases of viral flu -- including fever, cough and cold, pneumonia and cold-related diarrhoea -- have increased across the district due to the cold weather.

Chief of the Health Office Sunita Paudel said viral flu cases have been reported in various parts of Banke and urged the public to remain cautious as the cold persists.

According to Dr. Sanket Kumar Risal, information officer and senior physician at Bheri Hospital, patients with high fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, burning sensation in the nose, runny nose and diarrhoea are currently the most common visitors to the hospital.

Similarly, Dr. Roman Kidwai, medical superintendent at Sanjivani Hospital, Nepalgunj, said the number of viral flu patients visiting the hospital has increased again in recent days. He said most of the patients are children and elderly people.