BIRATNAGAR:  Normal life in the eastern Tarai districts has been affected by the rising mercury over the past week.

There has been a drastic rise in temperature in the past four days. If the trend follows, the temperature is expected to reach 42 degrees Celsius in the next four days.

According to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, the temperature was recorded 37 degrees in Biratnagar today. The highest temperature last month was 38 degrees in the city.

“The temperature was recorded 33 degrees in Biratnagar and adjoining areas yesterday,” said Lalbabu Jha, a weather expert at the office. “The mercury rose by four degrees in a single day.” The temperature had remained static for three days after June 15.

Two years ago, Biratnagar recorded a hottest 40 degrees Celsius. The temperature in the city is averaged between 30 to 33 degrees this season. The temperature is said to have been fuelled due to the lack of rainfall. Monsoon is expected to get delayed this year, thanks to the recent storm in the Bay of Bengal.

There is a need of rain for the improvement in weather, Jha said, suggesting that there was no possibility of an immediate rainfall.

The hot weather has caused fewer people to come out of their homes. The number of vehicles plying on the roads has fallen as a result. The bazaar was partially open due to the scorching heat.

However, there is a brisk business of cold drinks in the eastern markets.