Mustang: Daily life in upper Mustang has been affected due to the increasing cold.
According to National News Agency Nepal, Karma Namgel Gurung, Chair of Ward No 2 in Lomanthang, reported that the temperature has plunged to minus 15 degrees Celsius during the mornings and evenings. This extreme cold has resulted in the freezing of irrigation canals, water taps, and other water sources during these times, forcing residents to melt snow using fuel to obtain water.
Most residents have relocated to lower areas to escape the severe cold as winter approaches. Unlike previous years when the entire population would move before winter, over 300 people have decided to stay in the settlement this year. In Lomanthang, a region in upper Mustang, many residents have also moved to warmer areas. Ram Gurung, a local tourism entrepreneur, noted that although Lomanthang hosts around two dozen hotels catering to tourists, most of them are currently closed due to the cold.
Local representative Dhukke Bista highlighted that development activities have come to a standstill because of the harsh weather conditions. Despite the severe cold, police units in upper Mustang will remain operational. Police Inspector Santosh Basyal explained that the Korola check point and the customs office on the Nepal-China border in the district will continue to function. The police units in Lomanthang, Chosar, and Chonup under Lomanthang rural municipality, along with those in Charang, Ghami, and Surkhang under Lo-Ghekar Damodarkunda rural municipality, will maintain their presence throughout winter. Basyal added that only in cases of heavy snowfall or extreme conditions will the units be moved to lower areas, and there are no current plans to relocate them.