DAMAK: At least three persons have died due to the rising mercury in Jhapa district within the past three days. The extreme weather conditions prevalent for a few weeks have also prompted an influx of patients in health facilities in Jhapa and other eastern Tarai districts. Two rickshaw pullers and a mentally retarded person died of the scorching heat in Bhadrapur, Birtamode and Damak of Jhapa, the police said. Among the deceased, rickshaw puller Sahid Miya (40) of Bradrapur-12 succumbed to the heat on Sunday while Jugim Rai, a resident of Dharan, breathed his last while being rushed to hospital after he collapsed due to the heat wave in Damak today, police said. The body of another rickshaw puller, whose identity is yet to be ascertained, was found in the vegetable market in Birtamod today. 'The number of patients suffering from heat stroke has been on the rise,' said Nabin Karki, inspector, Damak Area Police Office. According to the records, the highest temperature recorded this summer in Jhapa was 40 degrees Celsius. 'Over 200 patients are coming here for treatment everyday,' Dr Bal Krishna Shah at Mechi Zonal Hospital said, adding, 'Most of the patients are suffering from the diseases that are common in tropical areas.' According to him, fever and dysentery were the main diseases grappling the Jhapa folks till now. To add to their woes, many of them are unable to get to the health facilities due to bandhs imposed by several groups. A large number of Bhutanese refugees are among those visiting Damak-based AMDA Hospital. Patients are ever increasing in Lifeline Hospital and Namaste Hospital in Damak and Mechi Zonal Hospital in Bhadrapur. Farmers in Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari, Ilam, Panchthar, Tehrathum and Sankhuwasabha are worried as the long dry spell will surely take its toll on the harvest this year.