Heavy snowfall occurs in eastern mountain region

By Chandra Pandak,Taplejung, Mar. 30: Heavy snowfall has occurred in the mountainous region of Taplejung due to unseasonal rainfall that began after mid-March. It has been raining continuously for the past week, leading to snowfall in high-altitude areas.    

This time, snowfall has occurred not only in the higher elevations but also in mountainous settlements. The heavy snowfall has significantly affected both locals and tourists. Dense snow has been reported in Ghunsa village of Phaktanglung Rural Municipality–6 Lelep, as well as in Yangma and Mauwatar settlements of ward-7 Olangchun Gola.

According to local, Tenzing Sherpa from Olangchung Gola, there has been light snowfall even in the main village areas. In higher settlements such as Yangma and Mauwatar, located at an altitude of 4,200 metres, snowfall has reached up to approximately half a foot.

Continuous unseasonal rainfall and snowfall have affected the daily lives of locals. Sherpa informed that snowfall has disrupted livestock farming and routine activities in the mountainous region. The tourism sector has also been impacted, as the trekking season has already begun. Heavy snowfall has affected popular destinations such as the Kanchenjunga Base Camp area, Sinjenma Lake, Timbung Pokhari and the popular pilgrimage site Pathibhara.

Tourism entrepreneur Tenzing Serap Sherpa informed that both domestic and international tourists visiting the Kanchenjunga region have been affected. He, who also runs a hotel in Lonak at the Kanchenjunga Base Camp area, said that continuous rainfall over the past week has resulted in heavy snowfall there.

Due to the heavy snow, several domestic and foreign tourists travelling in the Kanchenjunga region have been stranded in Lonak and Pangpema.

Similarly, religious tourists and pilgrims visiting Pathibhara, situated at an altitude of 3,794 metres, have faced considerable difficulties due to the snowfall. Trekking in snow-covered areas increases the risk of slipping and altitude sickness, making travel hazardous. Those with chronic illnesses or weaker health conditions are particularly vulnerable.

Tragically, two people have died due to altitude sickness in the Kanchenjunga and Pathibhara regions during this period of snowfall.

At around 2:30 a.m. on Sunday, a man who had reached the Lonak Base Camp in the Kanchenjunga region, died of altitude sickness. 

According to police, the deceased has been identified as 33-year-old Chandra Jung Hamal of Julma, Kanakasundari Rural Municipality–5, who was working as a Programme Officer for an organisation named Samriddha Pahad.

Hamal had fallen ill suddenly on Saturday. Although attempts were made to rescue him by helicopter, adverse weather conditions made it impossible.

Due to the heavy snowfall, it was also not feasible to carry him down to lower areas. His body was later transported to Kathmandu by an Everest Air helicopter on Sunday.

Earlier, on Monday, a three-year-old boy named Sohan, son of Hari Shrestha from Hilihang Rural Municipality–2, Panchthar, also died. 

The child had fallen ill while returning after visiting Pathibhara with his family and relatives. He died shortly after being taken to the District Hospital in Taplejung. It is believed that the child suffered from altitude sickness caused by the snowfall.

Rainfall has not yet subsided in Taplejung. For the past week, it has been raining every evening and night, and sometimes even in the morning and afternoon. 

Sunshine has been rare, with cloudy and gloomy weather prevailing throughout the day. Along with continued rainfall, snowfall is also ongoing in the mountainous region.