Disaster

A writ petition has been filed at the Supreme Court, demanding a ruling to the government to prevent the rising number of cold-related deaths in some parts of the country, especially in Terai.

Justice and Rights Institution Nepal, an NGO, filed the writ, accusing the concerned government authorities of indifference towards the cold wave deaths.

The petitioner also stated that the measures taken by some local authorities were too insufficient to minimise the problems facing poor people in the wake of rising winter chill.

Chilly weather made worse by cold breeze has continued to adversely affect daily life of many people in different parts of Terai for the past few days.

Due to the dip in the mercury caused by cold wave sweeping across the region, people are coming outside the houses in less numbers.

The cold spell has badly affected normal life in Lahan, Mirchaya, Dhangadhi and other places, decreasing business acitivities, local traders say. In the morning the places remain covered in a thick blanket of fog, blocking sun light and warmth for many hours and sometimes the entire day.