Locals forced to walk across frozen Nyalu Pass to reach Limi

By Our Correspondent

Humla, Apr. 7: Residents travelling from Kathmandu to Limi, a remote village in Namkha Rural Municipality-6 in Humla, are being forced to walk across frozen snow at Nyalu Pass, which lies at an altitude of around 5,000 metres.

Snow that has accumulated since mid-November has yet to be cleared, leaving locals with no option but to travel in groups across the icy pass.

Pendup Tamang, who recently travelled from Simkot to Halji village in Limi, said the journey was unavoidable despite the risks. Travellers can drive up to Chhusha in Namkha Rural Municipality-4 and after that should continue on foot, slipping and struggling across the snow-covered Nyalu Pass.

He said the journey has become extremely difficult, with snow measuring between two and four feet deep. Tamang had travelled from Halji to Kathmandu in November-December and was now returning under harsh conditions.

According to him, it takes around three hours to cross the snowy section, and the route is particularly challenging for elderly people and children, many of whom are unable to walk it. He added that travelling alone is not possible, as people must move in groups, taking turns to lead and break through the snow, which is physically exhausting.

Ward Chairperson of Limi, Paljor Tamang, said that several youths from Halji village currently living in Kathmandu were called back to help construct a community building. As a result, they had to cross the snow-covered Nyalu Pass to reach the village.

Earlier, around 40 locals had also crossed the pass in similar conditions ahead of March 5 election. Continued snowfall since then has worsened the situation, making travel along the unpaved road extremely difficult.