NEPALGUNJ: Bheri Hospital, the largest government healthcare facility in western Nepal, has been placed on 24-hour high alert following an increased risk of heatstroke in districts like Banke, Bardiya, and Kailali.

An emergency management team is on standby as the hospital sees a steady rise in patients suffering from extreme heat-related symptoms, including severe headaches, vomiting, fever, and dehydration.

Daily wage laborers and farmers are currently the worst affected.

With the Meteorological Forecasting Division warning that severe heatwave (Loo) conditions will persist in the Terai districts of Lumbini Province for a few more days, health officials have urged the public to stay indoors during peak afternoon hours and seek immediate medical attention if they experience high fever or fainting.