Manang, Aug 28: Food shortage has been reported in Upper Manang due to obstruction in transportation caused by floods and landslides triggered by late monsoon rain. The problem has worsened after the Bensishahar-Chame-Manang road section was damaged due to floods and landslides in mid-June.    

Tourism and hotelier Binod Gurung shared that food grains were now being transported to Upper Manang through mules due to transportation problems. In order to save the locals from food shortage, the transportation was being made a detour with the help of Sonam Ghirmi Fyamy Foundation and distributed to the poor here, said Gurung.    

He said that the food was brought through Pokhara-Beni-Muktinath by truck. According to him, food grains were brought to Upper Manang from Muktinath with the mules passing through Thorangla at an altitude of 5,416 meters.    

Food items have been distributed to 40 households from other districts as well and a total of 47 households in Manang village. He said that the materials were distributed to needy people with the help of the Foundation.    

Each family has been distributed 12.5 kg of rice, eight kg of pulses, three kg of salt and 1.5 litres of oil. The locals are happy to receive the food items.