Persistent cold wave for the last couple of days has affected the normal life in Nepalgunj, Banke.

Biting cold has caused people to remain indoors or sit around bonfires to keep themselves warm, while health facilities have reported an increase in the number of patients suffering from cold-related diseases.

Ram Bahadur Chand of the District Public Health Office said children and old people have been affected the most by cold-related ailments.

 According to the Nepalgunj field office of the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, the minimum temperature of Banke stood at 7 degrees Celsius and the maximum at 11.2 degrees Celsius on Thursday.

Pal Bahadur BK, chief at the DoHM field office, said the maximum and minimum temperatures of Banke have not really changed since last Saturday.