Rainfall and snowfall since Thursday night have severely disrupted life across several hill districts of Sudurpaschim Province, including Bajhang. Persistent rain triggered landslides, blocking the Tamail-Jalebagar section of the Jayaprithvi Highway and bringing traffic to a standstill.

In Chhabisha Pathibhera Rural Municipality, landslides in Baluwatar and Jalebagar were cleared by Friday morning, allowing temporary traffic movement. However, another landslide in the afternoon caused renewed disruptions, according to the District Police Office in Bajhang.

Efforts to clear the debris are ongoing, with bulldozers from the Road Division Office and Jayaprithvi Municipality working tirelessly to reopen the road. Deputy Superintendent of Police Yuvaraj Bhandari, chief of the District Police Office in Bajhang, said, “Earthmovers have been on standby since morning, but continuous rain has caused repeated landslides. The road is opening and closing intermittently.”

The recent rainfall has brought relief to locals in Bajhang, Bajura, Doti, Dadeldhura, Darchula, and Baitadi districts, which had been enduring a prolonged dry spell. Snowfall began early Friday morning in higher hills and mountain regions.

In Bajhang, snowfall has been reported in Surma, Saipal, Talkot, Masta, and Chhabisha Pathibhera rural municipalities, as well as in Jayaprithvi and Bungul municipalities. In Saipal’s Dhuli and Kanda regions, snow accumulation has exceeded one foot. Khaptad National Park also saw heavy snowfall, with Game Scout Dinesh Khadka of the park office reporting up to two feet of snow in some areas since Thursday evening.

Snowfall was also observed in Bajura’s Gaumul, Budhinanda, and Himali rural municipalities, as well as in high-altitude areas of Baitadi, including Gwallekh Khodpe, Anarkhali, Dholyamod, Sigas, and Melouli. Similarly, the highlands of Doti and Dadeldhura, such as Gaira, Saukharka, and Hagult, witnessed significant snowfall.

The snowfall has brought hope to farmers who had been struggling with drought. “The winter crops were drying up in the fields due to the lack of rain,” said Deepak Bohara of Saipal, Bajhang. “Even though it was late, the snow has arrived. Now, there is hope that the sprouted plants will grow.”

However, the weather has caused significant disruptions to daily life, particularly for seasonal workers, children, and the elderly. Janu Tamang of Saipal, Bajhang, shared that their Gyalpo Lhosar celebration on Friday was affected, as people could not gather as planned due to the harsh weather conditions.

Meanwhile, vehicular movement along the Rukum East-Baglung section of the Mid-Hill Highway has been disrupted due to heavy snowfall. Vehicles could not operate on Friday because of the snow accumulation.

District Police Chief Deputy Superintendent of Police Madhav Raj Kharel said snowfall has occurred since early morning at Patihalne, the border area between Rukum East and Baglung districts, and has blocked the road.

“Some large vehicles arriving from Kathmandu managed to reach their destinations in the morning, but with increasing snowfall, travel is now impossible,” he said, adding that police have urged vehicles not to use the route.

The snowfall has blanketed the hills in white, said Hem Bahadur Budhamagar, chair of ward 6 of Nisikhola Rural Municipality in Baglung. Around seven kilometres of the Mid-Hill Highway on the Baglung side have been covered in snow, with snowfall also reported on the Rukum side. Vehicular movement has come to a halt due to the snow-covered road.

Chief District Officer of Baglung Netra Prasad Subedi has urged travellers to exercise caution while using the highway. He said discussions with the Rukum authorities were underway to restrict night-time vehicle movement.

Given the slippery, winding, and steep roads, travellers have been advised to avoid risky journeys. Local police officers have conducted on-site inspections and provided updates on the snowfall situation.

Annual snowfall frequently disrupts transport in the region. While some vehicles attempt to navigate the snow, there is no government or stakeholder-backed plan to clear the road for smooth movement. The Mid-Hill Highway is a crucial route connecting Rukum East, Rukum West, Jajarkot, and other western districts to Baglung, Pokhara, and Kathmandu.

After a prolonged dry spell, rain and snowfall began on Thursday night in higher-altitude areas, including this section of the highway. While the precipitation benefits farmers in cultivation, continued snowfall adds hardships in daily life, said Putha Uttarganga Rural Municipality chair Purniraj Gharti.

Prakash Baral contributed to the report from Baglung.