Food shortage in Karnali due to snow on roads

The Nagma-Gamgadi road, which was blocked due to heavy snowfall in Jumla and Upper Karnali on December 29, has not been operated yet. There is a problem in transporting food due to the road not being operational.

According to local traders, it has become difficult to transport food due to heavy snowfall in the border areas of Mugu and Jumla including Dab, Ghuchi, Bulbel and Satmod. Vehicles have not been able to move due to heavy snow on the road. Pushkar Bham, information officer of the food management and trading company says that the transportation of food has been stopped due to the snowfall.

He says, “The food in the warehouse is running out. The road has not been opened due to snow. Failure to open the road in time could lead to food shortage. At present, the main company's warehouse in Gamgadhi has 500 quintals of rice in stock.” Chief District Officer Rom Bahadur Mahat said that food was being transported to Mugu from Surkhet, Nepalgunj, Bardiya and Rajpur by road but due to two snowfall ocassions, problems have arisen.

The snowfall has made it difficult for traders to transport not only food but also other goods. Due to the road blockage, it has become difficult for traders to deliver food and other goods from Nepalgunj and Surkhet to the district. There is shortage of food grains in the market. According to CDO Mahat, the road section is being cleared by dozer in coordination with the Road Division Office. According to the District Administration Office, there is no shortage of food items in the district at present.

Vehicles have been stopped at Guthijiula in Jumla and Nagma Bazaar in Kalikot district due to snowfall. The road to Jumla is filled with snow. The section towards Mugu district is covered with snow as well. The locals have urged to make the journey easier by paving the road as snow in winter and mud in rainy season will cause problems on the road. Due to the snowfall this year, internal and external tourists visiting Rara lake via Nagma-Gamgadi Road have been suffering.