POKHARA, Jan 30: Heavy snowfall has completely severed road connectivity between the district headquarters and the Upper Mustang region, including Lo Manthang. Local authorities said travel beyond Kagbeni is currently impossible due to thick snow accumulation, while access to the Muktinath area has also become difficult.
According to Umesh Paudel, chief of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) in Lo Manthang, heavy snow has accumulated across the region, with nearly two feet of snow piled up on rooftops. Although the sun has appeared, movement remains challenging as the snow has not yet melted. Snow up to one-and-a-half feet deep has also covered roads.
Paudel said activity in Lo Manthang is minimal, as most residents from the upper region have moved to lower areas, including Pokhara, to escape the harsh winter. At present, only around 50 people remain in Lo Manthang. With most villagers already away and snowfall adding to the isolation, the area has become even quieter. As this is not the tourist season, neither domestic nor foreign tourists are currently visiting the region. Only a few residents staying behind to look after their homes remain in the villages.
While residents are clearing snow from rooftops and pathways for limited movement, vehicles cannot operate, Paudel said. He added that people who move down for the winter usually return to their villages only after Falgun (mid-February). Due to snowfall and the absence of voters, election-related activities have also been halted in the upper region.
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Mustang’s Assistant Chief District Officer Eknarayan Bhandari said the Kagbeni–Lo Manthang road has been completely blocked. The road from Kagbeni to Muktinath has also been affected, though efforts are underway to restore movement by clearing snow. Security personnel and equipment have been deployed to reopen the Muktinath route, but clearing the road to Lo Manthang is not feasible at the moment due to the long distance and heavy snow accumulation.
Bhandari said travel towards Lo Manthang will only resume once the snow melts, which is expected to take several more days. He also noted that election activities are unlikely to take place in the upper region for now, as most voters have relocated to lower areas such as Pokhara and Kathmandu to avoid the cold. Candidates, too, are focusing their campaign activities in urban centers, as access to the upper region remains restricted.
SANTOSH POKHAREL
POKHARA, Jan 29: Heavy snowfall has completely severed road connectivity between the district headquarters and the Upper Mustang region, including Lo Manthang. Local authorities said travel beyond Kagbeni is currently impossible due to thick snow accumulation, while access to the Muktinath area has also become difficult.
According to Umesh Paudel, chief of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) in Lo Manthang, heavy snow has accumulated across the region, with nearly two feet of snow piled up on rooftops. Although the sun has appeared, movement remains challenging as the snow has not yet melted. Snow up to one-and-a-half feet deep has also covered roads.
Paudel said activity in Lo Manthang is minimal, as most residents from the upper region have moved to lower areas, including Pokhara, to escape the harsh winter. At present, only around 50 people remain in Lo Manthang. With most villagers already away and snowfall adding to the isolation, the area has become even quieter. As this is not the tourist season, neither domestic nor foreign tourists are currently visiting the region. Only a few residents staying behind to look after their homes remain in the villages.
While residents are clearing snow from rooftops and pathways for limited movement, vehicles cannot operate, Paudel said. He added that people who move down for the winter usually return to their villages only after Falgun (mid-February). Due to snowfall and the absence of voters, election-related activities have also been halted in the upper region.
Mustang’s Assistant Chief District Officer Eknarayan Bhandari said the Kagbeni–Lo Manthang road has been completely blocked. The road from Kagbeni to Muktinath has also been affected, though efforts are underway to restore movement by clearing snow. Security personnel and equipment have been deployed to reopen the Muktinath route, but clearing the road to Lo Manthang is not feasible at the moment due to the long distance and heavy snow accumulation.
Bhandari said travel towards Lo Manthang will only resume once the snow melts, which is expected to take several more days. He also noted that election activities are unlikely to take place in the upper region for now, as most voters have relocated to lower areas such as Pokhara and Kathmandu to avoid the cold. Candidates, too, are focusing their campaign activities in urban centers, as access to the upper region remains restricted.
