The cold spell in the Terai region claimed ten more lives Thursday, bringing the death toll to 28 in less than a week.

Four deaths were reported in Siraha district and three each in Mahottari and Kapilvastu districts. Those who died of freezing cold in Siraha have been identified as Jagadev Yadav, 70, Mahesh Mahato, 65, Ram Dev Kamati, 55 and Jagal Mahato, 45.

Siraha, Bara, Parsa and Rautahat have been the worst-affected districts where at least 18 deaths were reported by Wednesday evening. Nine persons have died in Siraha alone.

Extreme cold has led to closure of schools and businesses in parts of these districts while local hospitals are facing difficulties accommodating the crowd of patients with cold-related complications.

In Rautahat, Jogiray Yadav of Jhunkhunwa-2, Chameliya Devi of Bariyapur-5, Anil Thakur, Anil’s 40-year-old wife Batahu Sahani of Malahi and an unidentified person died on Tuesday night. In Siraha, one Om Prakash Yadav, 45, of Gadha died of severe cold on Tuesday night.

In Bara, one Sushila Khatun of Haraiya-2 died of cold wave last night, while Sahodari Devi Shah of Hariya-3 died Wednesday morning. One Shah Dev Mahara, 50, of Bhodaha-7 died of cold snap on Wednesday.

Earlier on Sunday, three elderly men had died due to cold in Rautahat district. On Monday night, one Rukwati Shah, 65, of Belha VDC-7 and Umesh Yadav, 40, of Siraha Municipality-8 had also died of bitter cold.

Previously, cold wave claimed the lives of 70-year-old Ramcharitar Kamati of Hanumannagar-5, Dhanushi Yadav, 65, of Khirauna-8, and Sadariya Devi Shah, 96, of Siraha Municipality-7.