Pokhara, January 23

Heavy snowfall in hilly and mountainous regions across the country have left denizens chilled to the marrow, snowed out flights and blocked roads at several places.

Lhomanthang in Upper Mustang was the worst affected by snowfall, with up to three feet of snow at some places.

According to Mustang District Police Office Chief Deputy Superintendent of Police Mahendra Khadka, Lhomangthang, Muktinath, Ghasa and the upper belt of Kagbeni and Marfa had received heavy snowfall in the past two days.

Pilgrims to Muktinath shrine have also been hit hard due to heavy snowfall, he added. No flights to or from Mustang, and those between Jomsom, which recorded a temperature of minus two degrees Celsius this evening, and Pokhara, have taken off in the past two days owing to inclement weather.

In Manang, Yakkharka, Thorang, Tilicho base camp, Tangke Manang, Humle, Kisang, Narkhu, Kyang and Khangsar Chame have been blanketed under snow.

Heavy snowfall has also been witnessed in upper parts of Dolakha. Snowfall in Jiri, Cherdung, Mali, Kalinchowk Gaurishankar and Kharidhunga have forced residents to stay indoors.

The snowfall that began yesterday and didn’t stop till this afternoon halted vehicular movement along the Charikot-Kathmandu road at Kharidhunga for some time.

Snowfall in districts of Far-west Province — Achham, Bajura, Bajhang, Darchula, Baitadi, Doti and Dadeldhura — and those in Karnali Province — Humla, Jumla, Kalikot and Dolpa — has forced authorities to shut schools and government offices.

While roads to hilly districts from Attariya have been blocked due to snowfall, flights from Nepalgunj to Surkhet have been grounded. Transportation service from Martadi to Kolti in Bajura has also be obstructed due to snowfall.

According to Baitadi District Police Office, snowfall has hit Anarkholi, Khodpe and Satbajh in the district. Snowfall has also blanketed the Khodpe-Bajhang section of the Jayaprithvi Highway and places in Darchula — Api, Rapla, Ghusa, Khandeshwori, Chhingru, Byas, Tinkar, Sahukharka and Hagulte along the Bhimdatta Highway.

In Doti, the snowfall began on Monday night and blanketed the upper belt of the districts — Khaptad, Bhalma, Goladeu, Shikhar, Napani, Kedar Dhura and Udaini.

Far-west’s tourism destination Khaptad has received up to two feet of snow.

Snowfall has affected life in the upper belts of eastern hilly and mountainous districts, including Panchthar, Taplejung and Ilam. Places like Sandakpur on the confluence of Ilam and Panchthar, along with Panchathar’s Charrate, Phalaut and Timbung Pokhare on the border of

Taplejung and Panchthar have received up to three feet of snow.

Besides Bhainse Pokhari, Lampokhari and Chiwabhanjyang areas, Sukepokhari and Pouwabhanjyang along the Mechi Highway have also received snow.