Cold wave wreaks havoc in Madhesh, poor forced to spend nights under straw mats

December 22, Kathmandu: A severe cold wave gripping the Madhesh region has made daily life extremely difficult for poor and marginalised communities, with residents in Musahar settlements of Chandrapur Municipality in Rautahat struggling to survive the harsh winter.

In Chandrapur–9, Chetnagar, around four days of intense cold and fog have turned nights into a daily struggle for families living in fragile thatched houses. Most residents depend on daily wage labour, but the biting cold has disrupted work opportunities, making it difficult for households to secure even basic meals.

Elderly residents are among the worst affected. Many are spending nights on straw mats inside poorly insulated huts, lacking warm clothes, blankets, or proper bedding. As temperatures continue to drop, prolonged exposure to the cold has raised serious concerns over health and safety.

Despite the recurring impact of cold waves on poor, Dalit, and disadvantaged settlements in Rautahat every year, residents say support from local and provincial authorities remains insufficient. With limited resources, many families are forced to stay awake by burning fires through the night to keep warm.

The shortage of warm clothing, blankets, and relief materials has made the cold wave a growing threat to life in the settlement. Locals have urged concerned authorities to immediately distribute winter relief, including warm clothes and blankets, to affected communities.

With colder days still ahead, residents warn that failure to act in time could lead to a serious humanitarian crisis in vulnerable settlements across the district and the region.