Kathmandu December 22. Cold wave coupled with rainfall last week has hit normal life in Banke, forcing the people to stay indoor. The locals seem to set out of their houses only for very important works since cold wave keeps sweeping the whole day. Poverty-stricken people and People from the marginalised and indigent community have been affected the most. Chidmar, Ghansiyar, Maganta, and Kuchbadhiya communities are bearing the brunt of the adverse weather with no means of meeting even their basic needs for proper shelter, food and cloth without money. The chilling cold has its implications on people with several health issues, children and aged people. The district administration has issued a notice of public interest, informing people about ways for the prevention of cold-related issues for children and aged people. According to Banke Chief District Officer Kumar Bahadur Khadka, it has sought coordination from local levels for the management of warm garments and firewood for the affected. “We have asked the local units to coordinate efforts to arrange bonfire in various thoroughfares in Nepalgunj and Kohalpur among other places in the district,” he said. The chilly air here sheds small drops of water since the mercury has dipped. Chief of the Department of Meteorology, Nepalgunj Pal Bahadur Bishwakarma shared that the cold wave has been sweeping across the district since Tuesday. Pramod Giri of Nepalgunj, 19, said that he has been indoor since chilly air outside has caused a sharp decline in the temperature. Children and elderly have been hit hardest due to cold, according to Bheri Zonal Hospital Department of Medicine’s Chief Dr Rajan Pandey. Patients with heart, respiratory and arthritis problems have suffered the most, said Chief of the medicine department of Bheri Zonal Hospital, Dr Rajan Pandey, adding that cold diarrhoea, phenomena, fever and common cold are among winter health problems that attack people. “Children and elderly people in particular should keep themselves warm and drink hot liquid substances to battle cold,” he suggests. With winter setting in, the division forest office, Nepalgunj has started distributing firewood at the subsidised price. One kilogram of firewood is sold for Rs 7, said chief of the Division Forest Office, Mohan Shrestha. A citizenship card is needed for this facility.