A border outpost (BOP) of the Armed Police Force was established in Hilsa five months ago, and security personnel have been patrolling the border area since. 

These days the temperature in Hilsa has dropped to -7 degrees Celcius and the security personnel deployed at the BOP say they lack the necessary facilities to keep them warm and safe from the cold.

Hilsa, the Nepal-China border point in Humla district, witnessed snowfall two weeks ago. After the snowfall, the temperature in the area has dropped below the freezing point.

Until last year, the Hilsa border area used to remain deserted during winter. 

Security personnel have been performing their duties amid lack of physical infrastructure and other facilities, said APF Inspector Suraj KC.

“We have been facing problems managing foods, warm clothes. We don’t have good communication services here,” said KC. 

The APF personnel have been tasked with the security of the border areas including Nara, Limikot and Hilsa.
According to KC, in the past, the border would remain closed for six months due to snowfall in the winter season.
“But this time we have continued border patrolling even in winter to ensure security along the border,” he said.
Police Posts in Limi and Hilsa have already shifted to the district headquarters with the onset of winter in mid-November. Currently, there’s only the presence of APF security personnel in Hilsa. 

“Although the villages have been vacated due to the increasing cold, we are continuing border patrol,” said KC.
There are 35 security personnel under KC’s command. “We are patrolling the border area 24-hour to stop the unlawful activities. Nara Lek has witnessed massive snowfall but we are carefully patrolling the border area. As the border area remains too windy, we are facing problems.”

“Locals are unable to move out of our houses due to massive snowfall in Namkha Rural Municipality,” said Chhepal Lama, a local resident of Yari Gaun over the telephone. According to him, people have been making bonfires to keep themselves warm. “Cattle are kept in sheds. There’s no movement now.”