Daily life in Mustang affected by heavy snowfall and rain; Korala road obstructed
MUSTANG:- The impact of Cyclone Arnab has disrupted daily life, bringing heavy snowfall to Upper Mustang and continuous rain to the lower regions.
The snowfall has brought operations at the Korala border point to a complete standstill, while landslides triggered by the rain have obstructed the Jomsom–Korala road section.
Chief District Officer Parshuram Pokharel stated that heavy snowfall has been occurring in Lomanthang and Loghekar Damodarkunda Rural Municipalities since Friday night. Meanwhile, areas below Chhusang—located in Ward No. 3 of Baragung Muktikshetra Rural Municipality—have been experiencing continuous rainfall since Friday night.
Due to the heavy snowfall and rain, the administration has urged tourists visiting Mustang, the general public, and container truck drivers—who have arrived to transport goods via the Korala border point—to exercise caution and adopt safety measures.
The Armed Police Force (APF) Border Outpost (BOP) located at Nhechung in Lomanthang Rural Municipality-4 has reported that two to three feet of snow has accumulated at the Korala border crossing—situated on the Nepal-China border—and its surrounding areas.
According to the BOP chief, Armed Police Inspector Prakash Dhital, the movement of vehicles and tourists toward the Korala crossing has been halted due to increased risks caused by the snowfall. Furthermore, instructions have been issued to stop the movement of containers and electric vehicles—even those that have already cleared customs—whether they are heading toward the Korala crossing from Nhechung or traveling from Nhechung toward Jomsom.
Armed Police Force Inspector Dhital stated that a request has been made to suspend Nepal-China border trade and import-export activities until weather conditions normalize.
Tashi Gurung, Chairperson of Lomanthang Rural Municipality, reported that heavy snowfall, which began on Friday night, is still continuing. This is the first time such heavy snowfall has occurred as early as the month of Kartik. Settlements, grazing lands, pastures, and high-altitude areas in Upper Mustang are now blanketed in snow. He noted that the daily lives of the local residents have been affected by the intensifying cold accompanying the snowfall.
Meanwhile, the Jomsom–Korala road section has also been obstructed due to rainfall. Ishwar Mahat, Information Officer at the District Police Office, stated that transportation has been disrupted following landslides on the road above Jomsom (in Gharpajhong Rural Municipality-4) and at Chhusang (in Baragung Muktikshetra Rural Municipality-3).
