Snow freezes life in upper regions

KATHMANDU, March 2:  Snowfall and rain coupled with thunderstorms lashed the country on Monday, throwing normal life out of gear.

It has been snowing in mountain districts while lower altitude areas witnessed rainfall since Saturday. People were confined to homes while transportation was disrupted in the upper districts of Humla, Jumla, Mugu, Dolpa, Kalikot, Manang and Mustang. Farmers are elated to receive rain in their dry fields of winter crops, seasonal vegetables and fruits.

People in higher altitude areas said snowfall in February-end and early March is unusual.

“I had not experienced snowfall in Falgun (mid-February to mid-March). Snow will help several winter crops but it destroys vegetables,” said Jhapkali Karki of Karkibada in Mugu district.

Our correspondent in Humla said it has been snowing in Simkot, the district headquarters, and other high-altitude areas since Sunday morning. There is a blanket of about one foot snow in Simkot. All the flights to and from Humla were disrupted as the runway has been covered in snow. Schools remained closed and government offices wore a deserted look due to biting cold.

In Jumla, road transport and air services have been disrupted since Saturday evening.

Patients at the Karnali Institute of Health Sciences are hit by a chill.

Snowfall affected life in upper parts of Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts. Gyalpo Tamang, a hotel owner at Kyanging in Rasuwa, told the Post over telephone that the snow since Saturday afternoon had accumulated more than a metre thick in the area.