NEPALGUNJ: Nepalgunj recorded the highest temperature of this year today. According to Hydrology and Meteorology Regional Office, Surkhet, maximum temperature of 44.1 degrees Celsius was measured in Nepalgunj while the minimum temperature stood at 22.5 degree Celsius.

Surkhet field office of the Hydrology and Meteorology Department said that Nepalgunj had measured the maximum and minimum temperature of 42.3 and 23.6 degrees Celsius yesterday.  The prolonged drought has caused the temperature to go up in Neplagunj. The soaring mercury has hit life very hard.

Both public and private schools in the area have been closed till June 24 due to excessive heat. Market places and streets wear a deserted look due to the scorching heat, especially at noon. Rickshaws and tangas have stopped plying the road.

Nepalgunj chapter of Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) Chairman Krishna Shrestha said that the scorching heat had brought trade to standstill. “People collapse when they venture out in the street. Thus, the market places are wearing a deserted look,” Shrestha added.

With the rising temperature, the pressure of patients has increased at health facilities. Bheri Zonal Hospital Chief Dr Pitambar Subedi said that patients of fever, typhoid, vomiting and common cold had soared. Dr Subedi has asked the people to drink as much liquid and water as possible.

The sale of cold drinks, coolers and cooling fans, however, has gone up. Prolonged drought has caused plants and crops to dry up in Banke and Bardiya. Farmers have failed to grow paddy saplings for want of rainfall.