Unexpected rainfall puzzles Humla locals

By Rajan Rawat,Humla, Feb. 7: Farmers in Humla district got puzzled when the region, which usually receives snowfall from late January to early February, received unexpected rainfall on Tuesday evening. 

The district headquarters, Simkot, typically receives snow at this time of the year, but the unusual rainfall of Tuesday night left locals surprised.

Although the weather conditions on Tuesday evening hinted at impending snowfall, it rained throughout the night instead. 

Jaya Chandra Rokaya, a resident of Simkot Rural Municipality-6, expressed surprise at the unusual weather. “In 65 years of my life, this is the first time I have seen rainfall in place of snow in February,” he said.

While snowfall occurred in November/December last year, Simkot, situated at an altitude of 2,945 metres above sea level, experienced only rain this time, a phenomenon that Rokaya described as unprecedented.

Even in Bargau, Simkot Rural Municipality-3, which is at the same elevation as the district headquarters, rain replaced snow. 

One local Chhiring Lama said that while snow initially began falling on Tuesday evening, it soon turned into rain, setting a new weather record.

“Until the end of February, we always used to get consistent snowfall in Simkot and the surrounding areas. I went to bed expecting to see the ground blanketed in snow by morning, but I was surprised to find only wet ground when I woke up on Wednesday,” he said.

Netra Bahadur Shahi, the Chief of the Agriculture Office at Simkot Rural Municipality, said that rising temperatures due to climate change might cause the rainfall in this season.

“Reduced snowfall and increased warmth are clear indicators of climate change affecting the Himalayan region,” he said. Shahi also said that climate shifts have led to the successful cultivation of new crops and vegetables even in high-altitude areas where they previously could not be grown.

Meanwhile, higher elevations in the northern part of the district, including Limi, have experienced light snowfall. Paljor Tamang, Ward Chair of Namkha Rural Municipality-6, reported that Limi and other high-altitude areas received snowfall on Tuesday evening.

“The light snowfall has continued, and snow has started to accumulate on the ground,” Tamang said, saying that this marks the sixth snowfall in Limi this year (2081 BS). Snowfall has also been reported in the villages of Til, Jang, Lapcha, Takchi, Nyalug, Nara, Yari and Muchu. While the snow has not been heavy, the light flurries persist.