Simkot, Dec 24 (RSS):   
As many as 20 government offices in Humla are without the office chief as the winter cold grips this mountainous district.    
Out of the 32 district level government offices in Simkot, the district headquarters, chiefs of 20 offices have taken leave, including leave on deputation to evade the cold. They have cited 'to attend training or workshop' as the reason for staying on leave.    
These offices are without their chief from the third week of December itself. The office chiefs had started leaving the district following the heavy snowfall since the second week of December.    
The District Administration Office is also without its chief. A large number of people come to the Administration Office for various works daily but the Chief District Officer is not there. So, the people have to return without their works being done.    
Border customs office shifted to Simkot    
Meanwhile, the customs office at Hilsa on the Nepal-China border in the north of the district has been temporarily shifted to the district headquarters Simkot after it became impossible to stay there due to snow and the biting cold. The customs office was opened in May last year.