MAHOTTARI: Normal life in the central Tarai has been affected with the onset of a cold wave since the last few days. Life in different districts of the region, including Mahottari, Dhanusha, Sarlahi and Siraha, has been adversely affected with the start of the spine-chilling weather along with thick fog cover. Students of the region are affected the most as they are compelled to attend the classes early in the morning in this cruel weather. Education of these children has been severely affected this year. The schools of the region opened recently after being shut for about two and a half months because of the ongoing Tarai Madhes agitation waged by the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF). The agitating Front-aligned parties agreed to allow the schools to operate only in the morning shift following pressure from the civil society and the locals. Before that the schools were shut down following the infrastructural damages caused by the devastating earthquake of April 25. Moreover, the District Education Office has informed that the schools in the region will close from December 10 for a 70-day-long winter vacation. All these incidents have left the parents worried about the education of their children. Meanwhile, movements of people in Tarai markets have decreased due to the increasing cold and daily wagers are facing problems to carry out their works due to the cold. The District Health Office, Mahottari, has urged all to keep themselves warm and prevent people dying due to hypothermia. Sales of warm clothes have also increased in the local markets.