KARNALI: Heavy snowfall across the high-altitude settlements of Karnali Province has disrupted daily life, blocked mountain roads and raised concerns over possible weather-related disasters in the region.
The higher elevations of Humla, Mugu, Jumla, Dolpa and Kalikot have received snowfall, while several areas are experiencing continuous rainfall.
According to local residents, snowfall has been reported in Shey Phoksundo, Dolpo Buddha and Chharka Tangsong rural municipalities of Dolpa; Namkha Rural Municipality of Humla; Mugum Karmarong Rural Municipality of Mugu; Patarasi, Tatopani and Kanakasundari rural municipalities of Jumla; and Tilagufa Municipality of Kalikot.
Chief District Officer of Dolpa, Junu Hamal Dhakal, said lower areas of the district were experiencing rainfall, while heavy snowfall had affected Shey Phoksundo, Dolpo Buddha and Chharka Tangsong rural municipalities in Upper Dolpa.
She said trekking activities in Upper Dolpa had been prohibited and that authorities were collecting information on the condition of people who had already entered the area.
According to Dhakal, a meeting of the district command post was held to assess potential disaster risks and minimize possible damage. Preparations are underway for search, rescue and relief operations in coordination with the District Emergency Operations Centre, security agencies, health and drinking water offices, infrastructure development offices and local emergency operation centres.
Meanwhile, Chief District Officer of Mugu, Poshan Raj Bhandari, said police had been deployed to restrict vehicle movement due to the risk of landslides following moderate rainfall that began at around 5 pm on Friday.
He said telephone networks and police communication services in the district were not functioning properly. A meeting of the District Disaster Management Committee has been held, and concerned agencies have been instructed to remain on standby for possible rescue and response operations.
Similarly, Chief District Officer of Humla, Bholanath Guragai, said snowfall had blocked roads leading to Hilsa, Limi and Lapcha in Namkha Rural Municipality.
He said residents from vulnerable areas had been relocated to safer locations amid three days of rainfall and snowfall. A meeting of the district command post decided to keep security agencies, the Red Cross, health and drinking water offices and local governments on standby for possible search and rescue operations.
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