Extreme heat disrupts life across Madhes

By Ajay Shah, Gaushala, Mahottari, June 4: Daily life across Madhes Province, including Mahottari district, has been severely affected by an intense heatwave that has gripped the region over the past few days.

With scorching sunshine from early morning, people are finding it difficult to leave their homes except for essential work. Activity in towns, markets and rural roads has noticeably declined during the daytime.

The extreme heat has particularly affected daily wage labourers. Ram Bahadur Sada, 45, of Rajkhor in Gaushala Municipality-4, said he has no option but to continue working despite the harsh weather, as missing work would make it difficult to support his family. He said temperatures have risen significantly over the past four to five days.

Seventy-year-old farmer Ram Dinesh Yadav of Aurahi Municipality-2 said the heat has made it difficult even to move around outdoors.

According to him, roads, houses and farmland have all become unbearably hot, while strong hot winds have added to people's discomfort. He said even water feels warm and constant sweating has disrupted daily life.

Local business owners have also reported a decline in trade. Ramesh Gupta, a businessman in Gaushala, said number of customers have fallen sharply during the daytime due to the heat. Most shoppers now prefer to visit markets only in the evening when temperatures become slightly more bearable.

The rising temperatures have also increased electricity consumption, leading to frequent power outages in the Gaushala and Bardibas areas. Greater use of fans, coolers, refrigerators and water pumps has placed additional pressure on the power system.

Locals have expressed dissatisfaction with the Nepal Electricity Authority, arguing that recurring summer power disruptions should have been anticipated and addressed through timely preparations. Frequent electricity cuts over the past few days have caused difficulties for people, including during the night.

Dhanbir Mahato, a local youth from Gaushala, said authorities should arrange drinking water facilities in public places and sprinkle water on roads to help reduce heat. He also stressed the need for local governments to raise public awareness about measures to protect people from extreme temperatures.

As daytime heat intensifies, many people are choosing to leave their homes only in the evening. Crowds have started gathering in parks, watershed areas and other open spaces, while some residents are seeking relief from the heat by visiting swimming pools.

Rajiv Jha, a meteorologist at the Janakpur office of the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, said the hot conditions are expected to persist for at least the next three days. According to forecasts, daytime maximum temperatures could reach between 39 degrees Celsius and 41 degrees Celsius.

Health workers have reported a rise in heat-related illnesses, including dehydration, headaches, fever and extreme fatigue.

Dr. Abinash Mandal said the effects of extreme heat vary from person to person, but children, postpartum women, older people and heart patients are particularly vulnerable. He advised people to drink plenty of water, avoid unnecessary exposure to direct sunlight and urged local authorities to ensure access to safe drinking water in public places.

He warned that a lack of adequate hydration during extreme heat could put lives at risk.