Hundreds of travellers had been stranded for more than 24 hours on Wednesday as cold winter wind since Monday continued to dump snow in different parts of the country.  

Around 70 vehicles carrying nearly 700 passengers are trapped in ice and snow in Bajhang and neighbouring districts, according to local transport operators. 

“Passengers are running out of food and water. Since the authorities have not initiated the rescue work, the passengers have no option but to wait out the snow,” said Dipak Kathyat, a transport operator based in Bajhang. 

He said scores of vehicles were trapped at places like Bithad, Shreebhawar, Dholyamod, Bijayapur, Lusyalek, Nachanthali and Bajpani. Ramila Rokaya, one of the passengers, told the Post that senior citizens and sick travellers were suffering the most. 

“We don’t have enough food. It’s is cold and there aren’t firewood around to make bonfires,” she said. In some places, desperation has led the trapped passengers to make failed attempts at clearing the motorway using whatever implements they could lay their hands on.  

Assistant Chief District Officer of Bajhang Shivaraj Joshi said continuous snowfall was thwarting the efforts of Division Road Office to resume the traffic flow.

“The snowfall has to stop before the motorway could be cleared,” he said. Meanwhile, the Okhaldhunga-Solukhumbu road has been obstructed due to heavy snowfall from Tuesday evening. Snowfall has also obstructed the transportation service in Serding area of Ramechhap district. 

“The road is covered in at least two-foot high snow. Vehicles cannot run on such condition,” said Aangdendi Sherpa, a resident of Bamti. 

In Myagdi, cold weather and snowfall have disrupted the plans of many foreign trekkers.    

“Many foreigners are stuck in their hotels because of inclement weather,” said Chitra Pun, a resident of Ghodepani.

Containers stranded in Kerung

RASUWA: Nepal-bound containers have been stranded in Kerung because of heavy snowfall. Purusottam Paudel said vehicular movements in the Nepal-China border area have come to a halt after snow accumulated on the road. On the Nepali side, containers have been stopped at Thongsa. Sub Inspector Kumar Thapa said vehicles cannot run above Thongsa road section because of heavy snowfall. 

Upper Mustang disconnected 

The upper regions of Mustang have been covered with a thick layer of snow, disconnecting Lomangthang, Chhoser, chhonup, Charang and Ghami, among other localities, from the rest of the district. Schools in Mustang have been closed due to heavy snowfall. Locals have been sitting around a fire to keep themselves warm.