Residents of Bajhang are reeling under extreme cold due to drop in temperatures as a result people are experiencing less sunshine during the day time and visibility has become poor because of thick fog. 

Locals around the area said that this is the first time they are experiencing thick fog around the Nepali month of Poush (Dec/Jan). “This dense fog would only appear during Baisakh- Jestha (April/May) earlier,” said Dallo Bista, 81, of Pimi in the district, “I have never experienced this type of weather during this time of the year. The cold is extreme even during the day.”

Weather experts have attributed the dust particles in the air formed after a long drought for the fog. Programme Officer at the Samajik Bikash Kendra Nepal Sudip Raj Timilsina said that the situation could worsen if there was no rainfall in the next few days resulting in various physical illnesses. “The weather is dry and the wind current is also not strong. This has resulted in deposition of pollutants in the air,” said Timilsina.

People residing in mud houses and temporary shelters especially elderly and children have been hit hard due to the sudden change in the weather. Dr Purna Bahadur Gharti of District Hospital informed that patients suffering from common cold, pneumonia, asthma among other respiratory ailments have increased. “We are receiving 60-70 patients with complains of respiratory ailments,” said Gharti, “We have admitted 8-10 patients and their treatment is underway.”