Heavy snowfall has hit the mountainous districts of Karnali Province. Mugu, Humla and Dolpa have seen continuous snow since Tuesday night. Humla’s chief district officer Tek Kumar Regmi said most local units in the district are covered in snow.

He reported snow accumulation of two to three feet, leading to road closures, flight cancellations and electricity outages. “Farmers are excited as the snowfall is easing soil dryness,” he said. Simkot bazaar remains completely covered, and the airport is closed due to snow.

In Dolpa, snow mixed with rain began Tuesday midnight, affecting upper Dolpa areas including Shey Phoksundo, Dolpobuddha and Chharka Tangsong rural municipalities, said Chief District Officer Junu Hamal. The snowfall and cold have disrupted daily life, and the Jumla road section is closed.

In Mugu, all local levels except the district headquarters are snowbound. Khatyad Rural Municipality has seen continuous rainfall since Monday night, while upper-Lekali areas including Khamale, Jiuka, Gamtha and Seri have received snowfall.

Rukum East’s highlands have also been affected by adverse weather, disrupting mid-hill highway traffic. Deputy Superintendent of Police Uma Shankar Prasad Yadav said around a dozen vehicles were stranded near Pathihalne, and bulldozer machines from Bhume Rural Municipality are on standby to clear the roads once the snow melts. Locals reported increased cold but welcomed the snowfall for winter crops.

In Jumla, heavy snow has blocked the Nagm-Gamgadhi road connecting Mugu to Sinja via the Karnali Highway. The road, cleared by excavators after the first snowfall, is blocked again. The road division office said no vehicles are moving, and travellers are urged to avoid the route. Excavators will be deployed as soon as snowfall stops. Vehicles from Jumla, Surkhet and Nepalgunj to Mugu are currently stranded. Despite disruptions, farmers in the region remain optimistic about the snowfall.

With inputs from DB Budha in Jumla, Mahesh KC in Rukum East and Jyotee Katuwal in Surkhet.