Normal life affected as temperature drops to -15 degrees Celsius in Mustang

Mustang, Dec 6: Daily life in upper Mustang has been affected due to the increasing cold.

According to Karma Namgel Gurung, Chair of Ward No 2 in Lomanthang, temperature has dropped to minus 15 degrees Celsius in the mornings and evenings. Because of the extreme cold, irrigation canals, water taps, and other water sources freeze during these hours. Residents have to melt snow using fuel to obtain water.

Most people have already moved to lower areas to escape the cold ahead of winter. Until last year, the entire population used to relocate before winter, but this time more than 300 people have remained in the settlement.

Similarly, in Lomanthang—one of the upper Mustang regions—many residents have descended to warmer areas, said local tourism entrepreneur Ram Gurung. Lomanthang has around two dozen hotels catering to tourists, but most of them are currently closed.

Local representative Dhukke Bista said that development activities have come to a halt due to the harsh cold.

However, despite the severe weather, police units in upper Mustang will not be merged with those in the lower belt, as the Korola check point and the customs office on the Nepal-China border in the district remain operational, said Police Inspector Santosh Basyal.

According to him, the police units in Lomanthang, Chosar, and Chonup under Lomanthang rural municipality, and in Charang, Ghami, and Surkhang under Lo-Ghekar Damodarkunda rural municipality, will continue operating in their respective locations throughout winter. “Only in cases of heavy snowfall or extreme conditions do we bring the units down. We have no plan to relocate them at the moment,” he added. (RSS)