GAIGHAT: Normal life in various parts of Udayapur district has been adversely affected due to the continuous snowfall that began yesterday night.

People in Chitrethan and Routa have been gathering around fireplace inside their houses as they cannot be exposed to the extreme cold weather outside.Dil Bahadur Magar

of Chitre said over telephone that the mobility of the people in the villages had been arrested. He also said that people were facing difficultiesdue to the continuous snowfall. After the snowfall, schools have also been shut.

Chitre Than, which is 700 metres in altitude, is the highest point in Udayapur district. Snowfall was recorded in the area two weeks back too. Dawa Sherpa, a local, said that there was no snowfall last year, though.

Routa, the religious and tourist area of the district, looks deserted after the snowfall. Kamal Rai, a local from Routa, said that the snowfall had halted trade with Diktel of Khotang and all the shops of the area remained closed. The district headquarters, Gaighat also recorded the lowest temperature in the year. The bazaar area looks deserted due to the chill.

Likewise, life in various villages, including Madimulkharka, Mawadin and Nundhaki VDCs, of Sankhuwasabha district has also been hit hard due to the continuous snowfall in the areas from Thursday.

According to the Police Post in Nundhaki, the locals have been facing difficulties due to the heavy and contituous snowfall.

Hira Khanal, head teacher of Guphapokhari Primary School, said that the temperature had dropped to the lowest point in the year. The snow on the ground was nearing a metre.

She also said that the people traveling in the area have been stranded at Gupha and Chouki. Shortage of drinking water was inevitable as water was freezing in the pipes. However, people have felt a little warmth from today morning.