Cold weather halts over 60 construction projects in Humla

By Rajan Rawat,Humla, Dec. 3: More than 60 construction projects in northern Humla have been temporarily halted due to extreme cold weather. With temperatures dropping below freezing, cement work has been suspended, forcing a four-month pause on these projects.

According to Bel Bahadur Nepali, the project manager for the Hilsa-Simkot road, cement work along the Karnali Corridor, from Chyachhara to Yalwang Gauda, has been stopped.

The cement mixture failed to set properly in the cold weather, causing the prepared mortar to go to waste. As a result, construction on the road has been put on hold until the weather improves.

Two projects, in particular, have been affected by the freezing temperatures, delaying work. The cold conditions have forced a halt to cementing work on various infrastructure development programmes managed by the Infrastructure Development Office, including six projects under the Simkot-Kharpu (Mansarovar Kailash Gateway) Integrated Infrastructure Development Programme. 

Narreshraj Jaisi, the head of the office, confirmed that while cement work is paused, other construction activities will continue.

Among the projects impacted are the construction of a new building for Balmandir Secondary School, the Kalashilta Temple (Madu), road pavement work from Bijay Hotel to Mansarovar School, road paving from Bidhyut Chowk to Tallo Gaun, the construction of Shiva Temple, and other road paving projects. 

Bijay Lama, a representative from the construction company, mentioned that the delay in cement work would push back the completion of many of these projects, which were supposed to be finished within two years.

Despite the setbacks, the Social Development Office has continued work on 66 other ongoing projects. 

However, as per Sub-Engineer Dharmaraj Bohora, cement work will remain suspended until January 29, 2026.

While cement work is halted, local material collection will continue. Authorities have issued a notice to all consumer committees and construction businesses, instructing them to refrain from advancing cement work during this period.

Additionally, Namkha and Simkot Rural Municipalities have reported that some of their planned projects has also been halted due to the cold weather.