Another heavy snowfall has occurred in northern Gorkha. According to local resident Nima Lama, it is the heaviest snowfall of this winter so far, which started last night. “After a long dry spell, this is the second since last night,” Lama said. “Although there was light snowfall two days ago, this is the biggest snowfall of the season.”
Snowfall has been reported from Samagaun and Syala, extending from Samdo, the northernmost village of Nubri Valley in northern Gorkha. It which started at midnight, has been continuous. In Samdo, snow has accumulated over one foot above the ground, and it has also covered areas as far down as Syala.
Due to heavy snow, the daily lives of residents in Nubri Valley, Samagaun, and Syala have been affected. Lama mentioned that even telephone and internet services have been disrupted. “The solar-powered telephone and internet keep coming and going,” he said. “Until the snow stops, all services are likely to remain affected.”
According to guide Surya Khanal, domestic and foreign tourists who reached the area on Saturday evening have also been affected by the snow. “It is impossible to take tourists to Larke Pass,” he said. “We are taking shelter in a hotel in Samdo along with the tourists.” Tourists planning to climb Mount Manaslu or cross Larke Pass to reach Manang have been impacted.
Meanwhile, locals are happy with the snowfall after a long time. Although it disrupts daily life, they believe it will help in better crop production. Farmers in Syala, who had planted barley earlier but failed to see it sprout, are hopeful that the snowfall will benefit their crops.
Similarly, in Samagaun and Samdo, where farming starts in about a month, the snowfall is expected to loosen the soil, making cultivation easier. These areas mainly grow barley, wheat, potatoes, buckwheat, and mustard. On the other hand, the weather in Chum Valley has only changed slightly, and the situation remains normal, according to locals.
