Several local units in the southern plain have decided to close schools for a few days due to a rise in temperature. The mercury level crossed 40 degrees Celcius in Dipayal, Dhangadhi, Nepalgunj and Bhairahawa in the past few days. Hetauda Sub-metropolis in Makwanpur has declared a five-day holiday starting from Sunday.

“As the students started falling sick due to the scorching heat, we directed all the community schools to close classes for five days,” said Saraswoti Koirala, a section officer at Hetauda Sub-metropolis.

Students have to suffer even more since a number of schools in the area are running classes in huts made up of zinc-sheet roofs. The 2015 earthquake had destroyed a majority of school buildings, many of which are still getting reconstructed.

There are 115 community schools in the local body. According to the municipal office, the temperature of Hetauda crossed 40 degrees in the past three days.

Similarly, Gaidakot Municipality in Nawalparasi (East) has also decided to close schools for three days-Monday to Wednesday. The municipality said it would compensate the school closure from the students’ summer vacation.Rising mercury level and dry weather have severely hit daily life in the Tarai region.