Panchthar, December 28

Snowfall has adversely affected normal life in eastern hill districts of the country today.

Pachthar has been witnessing snowfall since this afternoon. Excessive cold and snowfall has affected people’s movement at Phalelung, Sandakpur, Timbupokharim Sukepokhari and Pauwabhanjyang of the district. Farmers in the hilly areas have been confined to their houses due to snowfall followed by cold wave.

Similarly, the northern part of Dhankuta is also receiving continuous snowfall. Locals of Pakhribas, Dhankuta  and Mahalaxmi municipalities have been facing a tough time due to snowfall and cold wave.

Vehicles heading towards Dharan from Shankuwashabha, Tehrathum, Basantapur, Siduwa and Hile have been stranded due to continuous snowfall. A local, Bhisma Gurung, at Chhatharjorpati Rural Municipality said people from Bhojpur and Tehrathum, among other areas, have reached Chhatharjorpati to play with snow.

Meanwhile, some places of the district witnessed hailstorm this afternoon. Hailstorm destroyed seasonal crops at Bhirgaun of Dhankuta Municipality. Chief at Agriculture Knowledge Centre, Dhankuta, Surya Prasad Sapkota said details of crops destroyed by hailstorm had been collected.