Four more persons died in a continuing cold wave Monday in Rautahat district, Radio Nepal reported Tuesday. State Radio earlier reported 41 persons died in the current cold wave in five mid-terai districts since the last three weeks.

An INGO working for the welfare of former kamaiyas Tuesday said 20 children have died in far west Nepal until Monday. The cold wave has forced the closure of schools in the terai districts hit by the cold wave.

Hospitals report a rise in respiratory diseases in areas hit by the cold wave. Reports in the terai said bonfires are lit around public squares every night to beat the cold. The Home Ministry, despite several queries, said it did not have exact casualty figures from the cold wave.

The minimum temperature in the capital has been hovering around -0.1 degrees Celsius for the last one week. Wednesday is Makkar Shangkranti when Hindus believe the days become longer and nights shorter signaling the beginning of the onset of spring.