By Siraj Khan
Nepalgunj, Jan. 29: Cold waves coupled with thick fog for the past three days have badly affected normal life in Banke and Bardiya districts.
Only a few vehicles are seen plying on the roads of Banke. Human activities at market places of Banke like Tribhuwan Chowk, Sadarline, Gharbaritol, B. P. Chowk, Birednra Chowk, Pushpalal Chowk, Kohalpur, Khajura and Ranjh have significantly fallen these days due to cold.

Cold wave has also paralysed daily life in Bardiya. People’s movement in Gulariya, Basgadi, Bhurigaun and Mainapokhari of Bardiya district is also very low. Biting cold has mostly affected poor, rickshaw pullers, cart pullers and labourers.
Nepalgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industry informed that people’s movement at local marketplaces has declined because of a sudden drop in the temperature from Wednesday.

Chairman of the Nepalgunj Chamber of Industry Abdul Waheed Mansuri said that the market had worn a deserted look due to shivering cold.
He said that a few people were visiting the marketplaces only to buy warm clothes, heater and gas geysers.

Likewise, number of service seekers visiting the government offices has also declined, said Topendra KC, Assistant Chief District Officer of Banke.
According to KC, the District Administrative Office of Banke, said that blankets and firewood have been distributed to poor, senior citizens and persons with disabilities so that they could keep themselves warm.
Morning and evening flights to and from Nepalgunj have also been disrupted due to poor visibility for the last three days.

According to the Civil Aviation Office, Nepalgunj, flights to Simikot, Bajura, Mugu, Rara, Dolpa and Jumla were disrupted because of poor visibility.