Rautahat, January 13:

The cold wave, which has been continuing in Rautahat since the beginning of January, has claimed three more lives, taking the cold wave toll to fifteen.

Mohichan Mahara, a 55-year-old resident of Pothiyahi VDC-3, and his wife died on Wednesday night, a relative of the deceased, Lal Babu Chaudhari, said.

Dhari Lal Shah Kanu, an 80-year-old resident of Dharhari-4, froze to death last night, Nagendra Pandey, a local, said.

The cold spell has affected senior citizens and children the most, chief of the Gaur hospital, Dr Sham Shankar Thakur, said. Suraj Paswan, a 60-year-old resident of Uchidiha VDC-3, died because of cold on Wednesday night, a report from Bara said.