HUMLA: The Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage has been disrupted by continuous rain and heavy snowfall in Hilsa, Humla, along Nepal’s northern border. The Hilsa-Taklakot road has been blocked by snow, leaving 41 Nepali citizens stranded at the border checkpoint.
Most of those stranded are residents of Namkha Rural Municipality-1, 2 and 3. They had been engaged in business in Taklakot, China, and arrived in Hilsa last Friday.
According to Immigration Officer Bimal Poudel, movement across the border has been completely halted after around two and a half feet of snow accumulated in Hilsa. The Chinese authorities have also suspended border movement for pilgrims travelling to Kailash Mansarovar.
The Immigration Office in Hilsa said the border checkpoint could resume operations from October 4, depending on weather and road conditions.
The main road to Hilsa is covered in heavy snow, making clearance work difficult. Nanda Bahadur Saud, deputy superintendent of police at Armed Police Force Nepal No. 44 Gulma, said efforts were underway to clear the road toward China, but opening the route toward Nepal would take more time.
Road clearance has been slowed by the limited availability of equipment, with only one excavator operating in the Hilsa area, as well as a shortage of fuel. Local residents and security personnel are jointly working to remove the accumulated snow.
According to the Immigration Office, around 6,100 tourists have travelled to Kailash Mansarovar through the Hilsa checkpoint this year. Indian nationals make up the largest group of pilgrims, followed by visitors from the UK, the US and Nepal.
The unexpected snowfall, which occurred toward the end of the main Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage season, has disrupted the movement of pilgrims and affected local traders and residents in the border area.
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