By Our Correspondent
Bhairahawa, Jan. 4: Flow of patients in hospitals of Bhairahawa has increased due to the sharp fall in temperature.
Illness caused especially in the cold weather like common cold, pneumonia, fever, and typhoid are being reported in many hospitals in the district.
Similarly, extreme cold has affected people's lives in Rupandehi and neighbouring districts.

Senior physician Dr. Manohar Joshi said, "Symptoms like cough, fever, and diarrhea among others are common in people suffering from cold these days."
He informed that the flow of patients had increased in the big hospitals of Bhairahawa and Butwal in the district. "The risk of pneumonia in children and cough and cold in adults is high during the winter season. Thus, everyone should take special care of themselves and their children to stay safe," said Dr. Joshi.

"The locals use electric heaters or light firewood to keep cold at bay. But doing so by shutting doors and windows can be fatal," said Dr. Joshi, adding, "The room should be well-ventilated while using heaters."
Likewise, along with the district hospitals, the flow of patients has increased in health posts also.
Bhoj Raj Pokharel, an official at the department of health in Lumbini Sanskritik Municipality, said that there was a rising number of people visiting the health post in recent times.  

"Especially children and senior citizens have been affected by the extreme cold weather," said Pokharel, requesting everyone to eat hot and soupy food and stay warm.  
Moreover, cardiologist Dr. Samir Gautam of Gautam Buddha Heart Hospital said, "The blood pressure and sugar level increases in this season as the blood becomes thicker during the winters. Thus, everyone suffering from long-term diseases should opt for high alertness to stay safe from cold."

Along with the starting of December, Lumbini Provincial Hospital, Bhim Hospital of Bhairahawa, Universal College of Medical Sciences, and other hospitals have observed a surge in patients suffering from cold, cough, pneumonia, and typhoid.
The Lumbini Provincial Hospital informed that the flow of patients had doubled from December.

People's lives affected
Meanwhile, according to our Bardiya Correspondent, the decrease in temperature and cold waves have also affected lives in the district.
The movement of people in the market area and villages have slowed down due to the dense fog and cold wave. Locals are seen lighting firewood in Chowks to stay warm.
On Monday, Bardiya reported the highest temperature of 15 degrees Celsius and the lowest of eight degrees Celsius.

The cold weather has mostly affected pregnant women, new mothers, infants, school-going children, elderlies, and daily wage earners. The number of patients visiting the Bardiya District Hospital with breathing problems and pneumonia has increased.
According to the District Disaster Management Committee, the lives of around 7,000 people are likely to be affected in Bardiya this winter, from November to February.

Flights delayed
According to our Nepalgunj Correspondent, the majority of flights operating from Nepalgunj Airport during the morning and evening were either delayed or postponed due to the dense fog, cold waves, and low visibility.
As reported by the Ranjha field office of the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, the temperature of Nepalgunj has been declining continuously for the last three days. On Monday, Nepalgunj reported the lowest temperature of eight degrees Celsius.

Labours face difficulties
Moreover, the extreme cold weather has made it difficult for the daily wage earners in Arghakhachi to earn bread for themselves.
The temperature declined in Arghakhachi after the hills surrounding it received snowfall a few days earlier.

Although the income source of labourers has dried due to the cold, the six local levels of the district have not introduced any plans yet to provide relief to them.
Similarly, along with the decrease in temperature, the flow of people in Sandhikharka, Chutrabeshi, Khanadaha, Thada, Panini, Hansapur and Amrai areas of the district has decreased.