KHAJURA: Daily life in western Tarai including Banke district has been affected due to dense fog and haze.

Children, students, daily-wage workers, people from an impoverished background, helpless and senior citizens have been affected the most due to the chilling cold. People have been forced to confine themselves inside their houses.

Driver Ram Prasad Tharu of Nepalgunj-16 said they have been facing problems to provide transport services due to the thick fog and chilling cold.

Following the chilling cold, the number of people suffering from asthma, pneumonia, cold, cough and fever has increased at Bheri Hospital, said information officer at the hospital, Sanket Risal.

More than 100 patients suffering from pneumonia, cold and cough have been visiting the hospital every day of late, he said.