National
Recurring snowfall hits normal life; transportation, telephone service disrupted
Incessant snowfall has affected life in several districts across the country for the past few days. Because of heavy snow, transportation, telephone and electricity services have been disrupted, leaving local people in a lot of stress.Incessant snowfall has affected life in several districts across the country for the past few days. Because of heavy snow, transportation, telephone and electricity services have been disrupted, leaving local people in a lot of stress.
In Bajhang, transportation along the Jaya Prithvi Bahadur Singh Highway has been highly disrupted, as snow has piled up on the road at Shreebhawar and Khodpe areas. “Vehicular movement comes to a halt whenever it snows in the area. As soon as we clear the road of snow, fresh snow piles up,” said Binod Balami, a transportation entrepreneur. According to him, transportation has been disrupted for the past two days, and that has affected hundreds of passengers travelling to and from the district.
Similarly, power supply was cut off in Bajhang after wires snapped at Bhalumara in Baitadi district, following rough weather. The Bajhang distribution centre of Nepal Electricity Authority said the wire fell as it could not hold the snow that piled up on it. Telephone service and internet services are also irregular due to snowfall in the district. An official at Nepal Telecom said phone services were on and off, as solar panels are currently covered with snow.
The regional meteorological office said that various districts in the mid and far-western regions witnessed more snowfall this year in comparison to the past few years.
Meanwhile, patients suffering from cold-related diseases are on the rise in the district lately. “The number of patients suffering from asthma, pneumonia, common cold and other respiratory problems are increasing in the district hospital as well as other health institutions in the district,” said Dr Anup Regmi at the district hospital.
Because of the weather, more than 60 schools in the northern part of the district are yet to be opened. “It has been snowing regularly for the past few weeks. And it is becoming increasing difficult for us to come out of the house because of the cold. There is no any possibility to resume classes anytime soon,” said Navaraj Joshi, headmaster of a local school in Saipal Rural Municipality.
Likewise, the recurring snowfall has affected life in Humla, Dolpa, Mugu, Jumla, Kalikot, Manang, Mustang, among other mountainous districts. Because of the biting cold, farmers in the areas are struggling to manage fodder for their livestock, and crops—including wheat, barley, mustard and vegetables—are being destroyed.