By Chandra Pandak
Taplejung, Dec. 26:Heavy snowfall has continued in the high mountainous region of Taplejung district since Friday morning. Due to the high snowfall, the normal life has been affected at the high mountainous areas including Olangchungola, Yangma and Ghunsa.

The snow started falling on Saturday morning from Olangchungola, the highest settlement at an altitude of 4,200 metres. Similarly, locals informed that heavy snowfall occurred in Yangma and Ghunsa since Friday morning.
Tenjing Walung, a local of Olangchungola, informed that it has been snowing in the settlement since Friday. According to Walung, there has been continuous snowfall in high mountainous areas. At Olangchungola, around half a foot of snow has accumulated, said Walung.

Pema Sherpa, a local of Ghunsa, informed that the Fale settlement has also been covered with snow. The heavy snowfall in Ghunsa has made it difficult for people to get out of their houses due to the cold.
“It seems like the snowfall will continue for a few more days,” said Sherpa.
With increasing cold, the locals of these settlements are staying inside the house, wearing warm clothes and tending fire. The snowfall is also taking place in the famous pilgrimage site, Pathibhara, which lies at an altitude of 3,794 metres.

The pilgrims, who reached Pathibhara on Saturday, were found enjoying the snowfall. According to Rajendra Mahat, a local businessperson, many people are visiting Pathibhara by helicopter or by land.
Similarly, according to our Humla correspondent Rajan Rawat, heavy snowfall has started in the mountainous district Humla from Saturday. Dasarath Rai, assistant Chief District Officer of Humla, informed that snowfall has started from Saturday morning. As soon as the snowfall it has started to freeze, said Rai. He informed that the temperature was minus 7 degrees Celsius in the morning due to which normal life has been affected.
At the high altitude of Namkha Rural Municipality, more than one foot of snow has accumulated, said Rai. Similarly, snow has frozen in areas including Yari, Muchu, Chala, Nara and Nyalu.

Likewise, our Sankhuwasabha corresopondent Dhyan Kulung informed that heavy snowfall has been recorded in the upper part of the district since Friday. Kimathanka, Gufapokhari, Chitre, Milke, Mudhe and Deurali areas of upper Sankhuwasabha have seen heavy snowfall. Locals, as well as livestock, have found it difficult to remain outdoors.
“We haven’t been able to give fodder to the livestock in the biting cold,” said Thujuk Bhote, a local of Kimathanka.
Kimathanka Police Station chief Tikaram Rai informed that around three-foot snow has fallen in Kimathanka.

Our Solukhumbu correspondent Santosh Raut also reported that different villages in the district have also received heavy snowfall.
Elderlies and children are also suffering from cold in the areas. Snowfall has also affected transportation in different regions.