Sankhuwasabha, April 3:

Heavy snowfall and ensuing lanslides in the remote Kimathanka village development committee in the northern part of Sankhuwasabha district today disrupted helicopter flights which were ferrying Election Commission staff and constituent assembly election logistics there.

The snowfall has affected preparations for the upcoming April 10 election to constituent assembly.

A chartered helicopter of Shree Airlines was unable to reach the destination at Kimathanka, Chepuwa and several other places in the district due to snowfall and heavy rain, said district election officer Bed Raj Phuyal.

The landslide has washed away roads and Election Commission staffers to be deployed in Kimathanka VDC and Thudam of Chepuwa VDC are stuck at district headquarters Khandbari for the last three days.

Incessant rain and snowfall washed away the road at Shankebhir of Chepwua VDC and Kimanthanka VDC that borders China is cut off from Khandbari. Kimanthanka is about seven-day walking distance away from the district headquarters.

Ballot papers and ballot boxes could not be ferried to their destinations in the remote northern part of the district due to the bad weather.

Election Commission district staff said that it would not be possible to reach the villages until the rain and snowfall stop.