The number of people suffering from cold-related illnesses in Bajhang district is on the rise due to the incessant snowfall that has blanketed the region. Temperatures across the district have plummeted below the freezing point, affecting the lives of local residents, especially that of children and senior citizens. Health workers said most of the children are showing symptoms of pneumonia while many senior citizens are suffering from asthma.

Karna Bahadur Bohara, in-charge of Sunkuda Health Post in Bitthadchir Rural Municipality, said the health post has been receiving at least five cases of cold-related illnesses on a daily basis. 

“Most of the patients are children and senior citizens,” said Bohara, “We have been referring the patients with critical illnesses to the District Hospital or Dadeldhura Sub Regional Hospital for further treatment.”   

Similarly, Sabitra Bohara, a bus-passenger who was trapped in snow, said most of the children and senior citizens inside the bus fell sick because of freezing cold. “There was a shortage of firewood, food, and drinking water in local hotels, which further worsened the situation,” Bohara said.

Meanwhile, power supply in Bajhang has been halted for the last five days. According to the Power Distribution Centre of the Nepal Electricity Authority, Bajhang, the power supply line was broken due to heavy snowfall at Bhalumara in Baitadi. Gagan Singh Sanki, administrative officer of the Bajhang Electricity Authority, said it will take some more days to resume power supply in the district. Vehicular movement on Jaya Prithvi Highway has also been obstructed due to inclement weather. Around 200 vehicles are still stranded on various road sections in Bajhang.