Siraha, January 15

The bone-biting cold caused by the cold wave claimed three more lives in Siraha yesterday.

The deceased have been identified as Siyawati Haya, 95, of Karjanha Municipality, Bilatu Gupta, 65, of Gol Bazaar Municipality and Sita Devi Bhattarai, 65, of Lahan Municipality, said police.

With this, 14 people have lost their lives due to the freezing cold within a month in Siraha. District Police Office said that six persons, including five women, died at Ward No 6 of Karjanha Municipality alone.

Head teacher at Janahit High School Karjanha Laxmi Hayu said the people died almost daily due to the excessive cold. He said the elderly and children had been affected the most. “Life has been badly affected due to the freezing cold,” he added.

Patients suffering from pneumonia, fever, cold and diarrhoea, among other cold-related problems have reached health facilities for treatment. Health workers said the number of cold-related patients had increased in the health facilities.