Due to continuous snowfall since Saturday, locals in the northern parts of   Gorkha district have started to move to the lowlands. When the temperatures dip, people in this part of the district descend to the lowlands to avoid extreme temperatures during winter. 

“The people are moving to the lowlands to avoid extreme cold. We move to the district headquarters Aarughat or Kathmandu during winter to escape cold weather,” said Karma Lama, a local. “During mid-winter, people of Samagaun, Lho, Chumchet, Prok and Bihi, among other places in the district, migrate to warmer areas,” he added.

Meanwhile, tourists visiting Manaslu are also having a hard time due to continuous snowfall in northern Gorkha for the last two couple of days. According to Manaslu Conservation Area Project, tourists are canceling their trek to the area due to snowfall.

“Well-off people in the area move to warmer areas for at least two months during winter. But the poor stay here,” said Neema Lama, a local. He said when locals move to the lowlands, they also take along their cattle. “But the poor are bound to suffer as they cannot afford to go places,” he remarked. 

To make matters worse, prices of food commodities skyrocket during winter as the roads get blocked at several places.  Meanwhile, Republica correspondent from Mahendranagar reports that a group of seven porters who were on the way to Tibet with animal hides and bones have been stranded at Tinker area of Darchula. They had left for Tibet four days ago. “The porters have not been able to move ahead due to heavy snowfall," said a source at Tinkar.

Published on: 16 December 2014 | Republica