As snowfall continues in several parts of Darchula, many schools in the mountainous district have been forced to shut down and adjourn the ongoing half-yearly examinations.

All of the schools in Api Himal Rural Municipality have postponed their regular examinations schedule. Representatives from school administrations said the exams would continue once the weather improves.

“The schools have been covered in a thick blanket of snow,” said Karabir Singh Bohara, education coordinator at the rural municipality. “There’s no condition for students to come and attend exams.”

The lands in Api Himal Rural Municipality are covered in snow as thick as three feet.

“The heavy rainfall makes it very hard to get out of the house, let alone attend an examination,” said Kalyan Singh Bohara, a local guardian.

Areas such as Lawathi, Patha and Chhyati have received the heaviest rainfall, according to Sher Singh Dhami, a teacher. “The winter vacation was scheduled to start from mid-January, but it seems we have to close sooner this year.”

Locals say the snowfall has adversely affected their lifestyle, with many contemplating alternatives to fetch fodder for their cattle.

“The snow fell too soon, too heavy,” said Narendra Bahadur Bam, a local of Naugad Rural Municipality Ward Number 1. “The weather is uncharacteristically cold for mid-December. We are having trouble feeding cattle and taking them to grazing areas.”