Lack of snowfall affects winter farming in Himalaya regions

Ash Bahadur Thakali, a resident of Thini village in Mustang says, "Till this time last year, snowfall was experienced several times. There is no indication of snowfall this time around.” 

Mustang has not witnessed snowfall this winter making farmers worry about their crops. 

Thakali said winter crops such as uwa, barley, wheat, onion and potato do not show any sign of 'yielding' in absence of snowfall. The popular tourism destinations of the trans-Himalayan district which looked majestic with snow in the winter season now appear to be deserted. 

Deepak Lalchan, an apple farmer of Gharpajhong-2, Marfa, said moisture required for fruits and crops was lacking. "Apple farming will be affected the most as the coldness required is not met due to lack of snowfall," he said. 

Farmers of Thasang, a fertile land for barley, are worrying about weather conditions as there are no facilities for irrigation in Thasang. 

The Himalayan life along with the crop system has also been affected in absence of snowfall and rain. 

Acting Chief of the Agriculture Knowledge Centre Mustang, Prakash Bastakoti said quantity and quality of the winter crops would wane when there was no snowfall and rain in the winter. "Production would drop if the moisture content necessary for flowering of apple trees was not maintained." He added that the farmers are awaiting snowfall for cultivation of potatoes as well. 

Bastakoti explained, "No snowfall till the onset of February could be because of climate change." 

Chief of the Gandaki Province Agriculture Development Directorate, Basudev Regmi said the unexpected climate condition has a direct effect on the winter crops cultivated in the high altitude areas of Mustang, Manang, Myagdi and Baglung. 

Meteorologist at Weather Forecasting Division, Sanjeeb Adhikari said there was no chance for rain in the Gandaki province areas at the moment.