Sweltering Chitwan records ‘heat stroke’ patients

Chitwan, June 11: Chandra Kumari Punmagar, 55, ekes out her living by selling roasted maize. But the 55-year-old from Chaubiskothi of Bharatpur Metropolis-10 has faced a tough time for some days.

“I find myself boiling as the temperature rises in recent days. Roasting maize cobs in the sweltering heat throughout the day is sheer burnout,” she shared the plight. Roasting maize cob in firewood and braving the scorching sun has not only sapped her but also reduced her business; very few customers turn up to buy the street delicacy. A roasted cob is sold at Rs 50.

Another found in the same locality, Kal Bahadur Magar, who is an auto-rickshaw driver, said, “These days, I’m not enjoying my work at all because of the boiling heat. But, I’ve no option, as it is the only means to run my family.” Nowadays, there are few customers during the day, he added. Meanwhile, the temperature on the rise for some days was recorded at 39 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, with a direct bearing on daily life. The roads are desolate during the day.

Some of the schools have remained closed to avoid the heat. Those hit hard are the senior citizens, children and those working in the field and under the open sky. Physician Dr Govinda Kandel from Bharatpur Hospital shared that the number of people with heat-related complaints was on the rise. Two persons were found suffering from ‘heat stroke’, the Chitwan Medical College said.

Among them, one was discharged after the treatment with ventilator support. Dr Kandel suggested everyone avoid working outside, rest in the shade and drink water sufficiently.