TAPLEJUNG: Normal life in high mountainous areas of Taplejung district was affected by a snowfall since Thursday night. The snowfall had started after a light rain on Thursday afternoon. Life in Olangchungola, Yangma, Ghunsa, Lelep, Gyalba, Tokpegola and Phalel in the district has come to a standstill due to the snowfall. Of them, children and elderly were the worst hit. Pilgrims were stranded at the popular Pathibhara shrine due to the snowfall. Locals said the snowfall significantly decreased the temperature in the area. Ghunsa locals leave village Meanwhile, most locals of Ghunsa left their village today requesting the police authority to guard the village. While most of the villages shifted to Phale of the district, others came to the district headquarters Phungling and other cities outside the district including Kathmandu after they concluded that staying in Ghunsa was very tough given the dipping temperature. Four police personnel under the command of a Head Constable are guarding the village. Electricity supply and telephone operation were obstructed in the village following the snowfall. (With inputs from THT Panchthar correspondent Laxmi Gautam)