The latest victims of the cold wave have been identified as Ghusni Devi Sah, 50, of Kalyanpuri VDC-3 and Jeetan Yadav, 56, of Barhibirpur village. [break]
Narayan Yadav, Sah´s husband said that he found his wife lying dead in the bed Sunday morning. "She served me supper just the night before her death." said Yadav.
Jeetan Yadav of Barhibirpur had died on Saturday, according to the District Police Office.
According to Chandradev Mehata, public health officer at Sagarmatha Zonal Hospital, children and the elderly are the most affected due to the cold in the district. While all community schools in the district remain closed from Sunday, private schools in the district have closed for five days from Tuesday. "The schools will remain close from January 6 to 11," informed Anil Jha, the president of Saptari district chapter of Private and Boarding Schools Organization Nepal (PABSON).
The District Education Office and Nepal Teachers´ Union had decided to close the community schools for two days from Sunday.
Marwari Sewa Samiti, Saptari, had distributed quilts to hundreds of people especially the poor and the disabled on Monday.
Meanwhile, dalits living in remote parts of the district complained that they have not received any relief materials including firewood and clothes provided by donor agencies and social organizations.
"We have survived by burning dry paddy straw to keep ourselves warm. Adults can bear the cold to some extent but the chill is unbearable for the children and the elderly," said Fhudru Marik of Maleth VDC-3.
The cold has affected mostlly the poor especially Dalits including Dom, Musahar and Chamar among others, informed Yukti Lal Marik, a Dom leader.
"They neither have enough clothes to cover their body nor proper houses for shelter," said Marik.
Among the cold wave victims in the district this winter are Kari Sardar Batar, 60, of Sambhunath VDC-7; Hiralal Yadav, 60, of Barhamapur VDC-8; Parmeshwar Sah Teli, 60, of Bamangamakatti VDC-5; Phuliyadevi, 55, of Koilade Madhepura VDC-8; Ayodhi Marik, 50, of Banaula VDC-9; Bhikhae Marik, 24, of Chhinnamasta VDC-1; and Jhalluram, 46, of Daulatpur VDC-8.
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