Heavy snowfall affects life in Karnali

Surkhet: A heavy snowfall coupled rain has occurred in the districts of Karnali State since Thursday evening, affecting the normal life in the upper region in the districts.

Heavy rainfall is taking place in Surkhet valley from last night while snowfall is on in Ranimattalake.

In Jumla, the minimum temperature was recorded -10 degree Celsius, Chief District Officer Durga Banjade said.

Despite biting cold, the government offices would remain open to ensure regular service delivery, she said. Norbu Lama, a local of Mugu district currently living in Jumla, said that as high as 5ft snow has blanketed the mountainous belt there.

The normal life of people in mountainous region in Humla, Dolpa, Mugu, Kalikot and Jajarkot is severely paralyzed while the vehicles of long and short distances from Jumla, Mugu and Jajarkot have not left for their destinations owing to the heavy snowfall.

Similarly, the flight services to and from Jumla airport have been affected.

Likewise, Dr Arjun Prasad Tiwari of the Academy of Karnali Health Sciences said that poor people, elderly, pregnant women and children suffer the most from the cold.

He suggested that the people should drink more hot water and protect themselves from cold, as viral flu, pneumonia and asthma are quite common in this season.

However, the agriculture sector is likely to benefit from the snowfall and rain, according to chief of Jumla-based Agriculture Development Office Balakram Devkota.

—