Cold wave hits hard Dalit, economically marginalised communities in Rautahat

RAUTAHAT: Cold wave has adversely affected the lives of Dalit communities and economically marginalised people in mid-Tarai districts including Rautahat.

The Musahar, Dum, Majhi, Dhagar, Dusadh communities in Tarai districts are facing various problems in their day-to-day lives in lack of warm clothes, blankets, and beds with the advent of winter.

Thick fog in the mornings, westerly wind, and bitter cold have affected the elderly population and children of economically marginalised families, informed Binod Majhi, chair of Musahar Association, Rautahat.

The communities that get by making bamboo products are now facing livelihood problems with the dip in temperature adversely affecting their activities. With mercury plummeting, a team from Musahar Association, Rautahat visited the communities to understand the present situation, informed Majhi.

Lives of Musahar and Dum communities in Gaur, Ishnath, Paroha, Baudhimai, Katahariya, Fatuwa, Bijayapur, Dewahi, Gonahi, Brindaban, Gadhimai, Gujara and Chandrapur areas have been severely affected by the biting cold, Majhi added.

People have been forced to sit around fires to fend off the cold. The Association has also urged public and donor organisations for their support during these trying times.

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