By: Sweta Singh
The Birgunj Metropolitan City has decided to close schools for three days, as the excessive heat continues to affect life in the Tarai, Nepal. The metropolis has decided to give the community and institutional schools within its jurisdiction a summer holiday from today till June 16.
The summer holiday at schools has been extended by three days, keeping in mind the children’s health since the heat is increasing in the Tarai region and the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has forecast this trend could increase even for some more days.
The maximum temperature in Birgunj on Wednesday was 38.7 degrees Celsius. The Department of Meteorology has urged for precaution, as there is the possibility of excessive heat in the central and western Terai region.
Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS) has launched actions against the heatwave in Nepalgunj of Banke, Siddarthanagar in Rupandehi, Dhangadhi of Kailali, and Biratnagar of Morang. The heatwave action initiatives include public awareness of the implications of heat, precautions against the impact, and the supplies of drinking water in public spaces.
Fatigue and weakness, dizziness, severe headache, nausea, muscle cramps, limbs or facial swelling, a fast heartbeat, and even unconsciousness are the implications of the heat wave that also may cause skin rashes, yellowish urine, breathing complications, low blood pressure levels, and high fever.
According to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology of Nepal, there is an influence of the monsoon system in the eastern part of the country. In the rest of Nepal, there is a partial influence of local and westerly winds, while low pressure is formed in and around Bihar. However, the temperature will remain high. It will take a few more days for the monsoon to arrive.