Severe Heatwave Grips Banke and Terai Districts

Extreme heat has severely affected daily life in Banke and other Tarai districts, with scorching sunshine and hot winds keeping people indoors and leaving roads nearly deserted during the daytime. As temperatures continue to rise, juice and lassi shops have started seeing a surge in customers seeking relief from the heat.

According to Ram Prasad Awasthi, chief of the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology office in Kohalpur, Nepalgunj recorded its highest-ever temperature of 45 degrees Celsius on June 14, 2012. He said extreme heat has been increasing in Tarai districts in recent years, affecting schoolchildren and daily wage workers the most.

Awasthi said temperatures are expected to reach between 38 and 40 degrees Celsius by this evening. The forecast is based on temperature readings recorded between 2:00 pm and 5:45 pm. On Thursday, the region recorded this year’s highest temperature at 41.5 degrees Celsius. He added that temperatures have been rising continuously since Jestha 4.

He explained that temperatures are classified as hot days, very hot days, and extremely hot days depending on the intensity. Assessments are made using temperature data collected not only from Kohalpur, but also from Ranjha Airport and the Khajura station.

While the heatwave continues to disrupt daily life, locals have also been facing difficulties due to problems in electricity supply. Residents say low voltage has prevented fans from operating properly in homes and offices, while water pumps and other electrical appliances have also been damaged.

Shivadatta Bhatt of Nepalgunj-9 said irregular power supply has added to the suffering of local residents and urged authorities to solve the recurring problem as soon as possible.

Sanjay Kumar Mishra, chief engineer at the Nepalgunj Distribution Centre of the Nepal Electricity Authority, said the electricity line in Nepalgunj has been affected due to excessive load on the power transmitted from the Kohalpur grid branch.

Engineer Mishra added that the long-term solution to the issue seen in the 132/33 kV transmission line of the Kohalpur grid will be possible after the completion of the under-construction transmission line project at Baksapur in Janaki.