HUMLA: Food crisis has begun to threaten life of people in remote areas of Humla district in Karnali zone of mid-western Nepal.

At least five villages of Shreenagar region – namely Maila, Madena, Shreenagar, Kalika and Jayar – are likely to face a severe food crisis this year.

As it did not rain for last one year in the region, the locals could not cultivate anything, lamented Gyane Rokaya, a farmer of Maila village.

The villagers, hence, are forced to spend as many as seven days to reach Bajura district headquarters, Martadi, to buy foods.

"We had planted some crops," Dhana Rup Bogati of Madena said, "But, the drought destroyed them all."

Crops including millet and wheat were hit hard for want of timely rain, he added.

"A kilo of rice costs Rs 120 here," Bogati said, "And, a kilo of salt costs more than Rs 100."

Another local Ramila Joshi accused the District Administration Office and the Nepal Food Corporation of not paying any heed to their woes.

NFC Humla district chief Narayan Singh KC said it had allocated 2,000 quintal rice for Shreenagar depot, but the supply could not be delivered yet.

KC blamed the contractor for his failure to supply the food yet.

He claimed that he had written to the DAO and NFC central office about the crisis, but neither of them paid any attention.

"My job is to inform them," he said, "But, they don't listen. What can I do?"

Humla Chief District Officer Krishna Bahadur Ghimire declined to comment over the issue claiming he was on leave.

Acting CDO Bhim Bahadur Rana said he was unaware of the issue.

The story of nearby Sadegad village is also much similar.

The NFC depots in Shreenagar and Sadegad were shut during the decade-long Maoist insurgency and are partially operating after the peace process.