Manang district's temperature has dropped to as low as minus 16 degree so far, said the Metrological Forecasting Division. With the mercury plummeting, life in the district has been affected largely.

Movements of the people have been restricted, while government offices see a small flow of service seekers. Those who can afford migrating temporarily to relatively warmer places are leaving the district.

The local residents temporarily migrate to relatively warmer places like Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan to escape cold, and the temporary migration starts from mid-December to mid-March.

Only those who take charge of looking after yaks and other helpers choose to stay behind. Educational institutions also remain closed for three months during winter, said District Education Officer Tukraj Adhikari. RSS