Western hilly region people migrating to lowlands

Bajura, January 8

Life has been severely affected due to excessive cold in the past few days in the hill districts of the mid-western and far-western regions.

Humla, Mugu, Jumla, Kalikot, Dolpa, Baitadi, Darchula, Bajura and Bajhang districts are reeling under extreme cold. People in those districts have started to move to the lowlands to avoid the cold, according to Chair of Tajamaula Rural Municipality in Humla Bagdal Malla. He said, “The villagers have been moving to lowlands with their livestock and goods.”

Residents of the upper parts of Himali Rural Municipality, Swamikartik Rural Municipality, Pandagufa Rural Municipality and Budhinanda Municipality in Bajura have started moving to warm places due to the cold.

Dharma Rokaya, a local of Himali Rural Municipality said almost all the villagers had started migrating to the lowlands due to bone biting cold.

Classes in almost all education institutions in Bajura have been affected due to persistent cold since a few days. School inspector Dharma Raj Jaisi at the District Education Office, Bajura, said the schools had remained closed since a few days due to cold weather.

Assistant Chief District Officer of Bajura Khagendra Bahadur Shahi said daily activities at government and non-government offices have also been affected due to excessive cold.

Similarly, life in hilly areas of Baitadi, Bajhang and Darchula has been affected due to cold. The number of viral patients have also increased in Humla, Mugu, Jumla, Dolpa and Kalikot of Karnali. Health workers said the number of patients suffering from common cold, fever and other cold-related diseases had gone up at the local health facilities.

Children, new mothers, elderly citizens and people with disabilities have been hit hard.