By Belina Thapa, Lamjung, Jan. 16: Continuous snowfall since Thursday morning has affected people’s lives in Manang. The snowfall started from 1:00 AM, Thursday, said the locals.
The locals have not been able to come out of their houses due to the snowfall. Chiring Nesyang Gurung, a local of Manag Knisyang Gaupalika, said that snow had piled up as high as two feet in the village.
“The cold has become intolerable,” he said. “It is difficult for us to go out of our houses to run errands. The transportation has come to a halt.”
Deputy Superintendent of Police, Ramesh Bhuwaji, said that the flow of tourists in the district had thinned due to the continuous snowfall.
“The snowfall started early in the morning. Even though it stopped in the afternoon, it resumed later in the evening as the cold waves hit the district,” said Pushparaj Poudel, Chief District Officer (CDO).
CDO Poudel said that the snow had disturbed Nepal Telecom’s telephone and network service for the last five days.
“The Telecom said that the optical fiber was obstructed as the solar panel got covered in snow,” he said.
Chances of accident are higher during snowfall, which may require immediate rescuing and we do not have telephone service to stay updated regarding all the happenings of the district, he said.
Brij Bahadur Gurung, tourism assistant of Area Conservation Office under Annapurna Area Conservation Project (ACAP), said that the snowfall had obstructed tourists from reaching their destination.
“Since the snowfall is continuing, we have asked the check-posts to alert tourists from travelling,” said Gurung.
He said that the temperature was -15 degree celsius during night while it was -8 degree in the afternoon.
(from The Rising Nepal)
