A relentless heatwave has crippled daily life across Tarai over the past week. People are struggling to cope as temperatures climb close to or above 40 degrees Celsius in several places.

In Rupandehi, the mercury has been rising steadily over the past few days. Homes, roads and everyday objects have heated up under the relentless sun, making it difficult for people to step outside. By late morning, hot winds begin to sweep through the plains, slowing movement and forcing residents indoors.

In the border town of Bhairahawa, Wednesday morning saw unusually low human activity. Streets that are normally busy were nearly empty, with fewer pedestrians, private vehicles and public transport. Even auto-rickshaws, usually clustered at busy intersections, were sparse.

“People have stopped coming out because of the heat,” said Santa Malaha, a local of Bhairahawa who drives a rickshaw. “There is no point taking the rickshaw out when there are no passengers.” Rickshaw drivers were seen resting in the shade, too drained to call out to customers.

After 10am, markets and rural areas fall quiet due to scorching heat. In the Marchwar region of Rupandehi, only a handful of motorcycles and rickshaws were on the road. Locals covered their heads with cloth while cycling, and most people gathered under trees to escape the sun.

Farming routines have also changed. With wheat already harvested, fields lie empty, and livestock are no longer taken out during the day. “It is not just humans—animals also suffer from the heat,” said Bachchan Yadav of Kotahimai Rural Municipality. “We only take them out in the morning and evening now.”

According to Binod Singh Rawat, information officer of Gautam Buddha International Airport, temperatures in Bhairahawa exceeded 40°C on Wednesday afternoon. The absence of rainfall over the past week has worsened conditions.

Bhim Bhandari, a lecturer at Bhairahawa Multiple Campus, said that hot winds are causing dehydration and fatigue. “It is difficult to travel during the day,” he said. “People feel weak, their lips dry out and they become drowsy.”

Most of the local units in Rupandehi are scheduled to begin the new academic session on April 23, leaving parents worried about schools operating amid the intense heat.

“The heat starts early in the morning,” said Jaykesh Harijan of Siddharthanagar-12. “By the afternoon, it becomes extremely difficult even to step outside for work. The sun feels scorching.” He said there was little they could do to escape the heat. Even the fans installed at home have begun blowing hot air, making it difficult to sleep comfortably day or night.

In Dhangadhi, the capital of Sudurpaschim Province, temperatures have surged between 38°C and 40°C. According to the Meteorological Forecasting Division, temperature in Dhangadhi is likely to continue rising over the next three days, although there is a possibility of light rainfall on Saturday.

The local people complain that it has become hard to step outside except early in the morning or late in the evening. Daily wage labourers have been hit the hardest. “We now take a two-hour break during midday,” said Sohan Chaudhary, a labourer in Dhangadhi. “Work that used to finish by 5pm now takes until 7pm.” He said working under the open sky in hot winds has become extremely difficult.

Students are also affected. Chetana Kunwar, a Grade 11 student, said she had to walk to school under the harsh sun despite the discomfort. “It is very difficult to sit in crowded classrooms in this heat,” she said, adding that exams leave her with little choice.

The scorching heat has had mixed effects on businesses. Sugarcane juice vendor Sameer Khan in LN Chowk said sales have increased sharply, with more than 100 glasses sold daily. “A week ago, business was slow, but now it has improved,” he said.

Kalpana Oda, who sells roasted corn on the cob on the roadside, is worried about her work. Her business has struggled lately mainly due to hot weather conditions. She used to earn up to Rs1,000 a day, but that has now dropped to just around Rs300. “People don’t want to eat hot corn in this heat,” said Oda carrying her three-year-old child.

In Nepalgunj, temperatures have crossed 39°C, affecting daily wage workers, rickshaw drivers and shopkeepers. Kranti Verma, who runs a clothing store in Gharbari in Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City-2, said that the rising heat has hit her business hard. “Even though I stay open all day, no customers come,” she said. “Business isn't what it used to be; the market area is deserted because of the heat.”

Birgunj in Madhesh Province recorded temperatures as high as 41°C on Wednesday. Although hot winds eased slightly compared to the previous day, the heat remained oppressive. Residents avoided going out during peak hours unless necessary. Weather data also showed high temperatures in other districts. Rajbiraj recorded over 36°C on Wednesday, while Parasi in West Nawalparasi saw temperatures reach 37°C. In contrast, eastern Tarai areas such as Biratnagar experienced relatively milder conditions, with cooler winds providing some relief despite daytime heat.

Doctors have urged people to take precautions against extreme heat and hot winds. Dr Akash Rawat, a consultant physician at Kailali Hospital, advised avoiding outdoor activity between 11am and 4pm, wearing loose cotton clothing and staying in cool places. “Children, the elderly and those with chronic illnesses need special care,” he said, warning that prolonged exposure to heat could lead to heatstroke, which can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.

The doctors urged people to drink plenty of water, eat fruits with high water content, and avoid going out in strong sunlight unless absolutely necessary.