Upper Rolpa has been blanketed in snow following recent heavy snowfall. The high hills of Thabang and Sunchhahari rural municipalities are entirely covered in white.

Thick snow has accumulated in the Guranse area of Thabang Rural Municipality-4, which lies at an altitude of approximately 3,000 metres. Ward chair Hikmat Bahadur Ghartimagar reported that the snowfall has also covered sheep pens in the region. “It has snowed after a long time. The forests and hills are all white. Visitors from the lower Uwa and upper regions have arrived here via the Mid-Hill Highway to enjoy the snow,” he said.

Similarly, the eastern part of Upper Rolpa, including areas like Jaljala, Seram, Gam, Jantare, and Bibang, has also witnessed heavy snowfall. The Kothibhir area, located at the border between Gam in Rolpa and Pyuthan, is particularly snow-covered. Snow has also accumulated in Patihalne, the tri-junction of Baglung, Rolpa, and Rukum East, including the upper ridges of Nisi Bhuji in Baglung.

In Eastern Rukum, snow has blocked most sections of the Mid-Hill Highway near Lugum. The Nepal Police are actively clearing the snow to resume traffic flow. Meanwhile, Sisne Himal, the highest mountain in Lumbini Province located in Rukum East, is also blanketed in snow.

According to tourism entrepreneur Balkuram Pun from Jelbang, snowfall enhances the region’s charm. “It brings lush greenery to the forests, improves agricultural productivity, and prompts new sprouting on trees,” he explained. He also noted that the snowfall increases movement along the Guerrilla Trail and the Jalaki trekking route. “Internal tourism will rise from Thabang and Sunchhahari to Takshera and Maikot in Rukum East,” Pun added.

The snowfall has brought joy to local sheep herders in Rolpa and Rukum. Mahiman Pun from Homa Choyabang, who tends around 500 sheep in the upper regions of Jaljala, Homa, and Mirul, expressed his satisfaction. Sheep farming is common in areas like Homa, Dhabang, Thabang, Uwa, Seram, and Gam in Rolpa, where the upper forests provide ideal grazing grounds. However, many herders have recently started seeking alternative livelihoods.