Freezing cold disrupts classes in Kalikot schools

By Premraj Simkhada,Kalikot, Dec. 24: The increasing cold has started affecting daily life in the Himalayan district. Due to the cold, teaching and learning activities have been disrupted in government schools of Kalikot. 

Half-yearly examinations are being conducted in open fields because of the cold. The temperature in Kalikot has dropped to 4°C, making travel during mornings and evenings difficult.

Dilip Prasad Chaulagain, a teacher at Chulimallika Secondary School in Khadachakra Municipality-5, explained that exams were held outdoors to prevent students from falling ill due to the cold conditions inside the classrooms.

Preparations had been made in advance to tackle the cold for the exams that started on Sunday. 

According to teacher Chaulagain, students must attend in uniform, but sitting inside classrooms increases the risk of illness. Therefore, the exams were being conducted in the field, even on the ground, as per the school’s statement.

All schools in Tilagufa Municipality are holding exams in open fields. Since the beginning of December, classes have also been held outdoors due to extreme cold. 

Bir Singh BK, Chairperson of the School Management Committee at Shiva Secondary School, stated that classes are being conducted in open fields due to the cold weather, as temperatures in the area have dropped significantly.

Schools in Tilagufa Municipality also provide a winter vacation due to the cold, beginning in mid-January and lasting through February. Most settlements within Tilagufa Municipality experience temperatures as low as 1°C. 

In Jumla, temperatures range from 0°C to -5°C, significantly impacting school children in the Himalayan district during this period.

In most parts of Kalikot, cold weather remains constant. During winter, areas around the Karnali River experience extremely cold conditions due to cold winds from the river. 

Although the maximum temperature in some areas around Karnali may reach 10–12°C, it still feels equally cold. 

Devendra Bam, a trader in Shantighat Bazaar of Raskot-6, mentioned that the cold winds from Karnali significantly increase the chill during winter.

The cold in winter and extreme hot temperature during the rainy season make life challenging in this region. 

To escape the cold, many residents of Kalikot, Jumla, Humla, and Mugu migrate to the lower altitudes. 

Livestock farmers and other residents frequently move to the lowlands during winter. 

Jumla’s district headquarters, Khalanga Bazaar, sees temperatures drop to -5°C, making it difficult for people to move around, as reported by local traders. 

Dhan Prasad Neupane, a trader in the Kalekholi area of the market, shared that living conditions are particularly harsh from December to February.