Turundhoj Nalbu, a local trader at Sakranti Bazaar, has been selling a sack of 50 kilograms of rice for Rs 3,250. Last year, he sold the same quantity of rice at Rs 2,800.

Nalbu said the price increased as he has to pay Rs 400 for transportation alone after foot trails as well as mule trails in the area have been washed away by June landslides.

Locals said prices of essential commodities skyrocketed in the remote villages such as Khamlung, Santhakra, Lingtep, Khokling, Libang, Thukimba, Sawa, Papung and Nalbu.

The trail to Papung VDC has been obstructed owing to landslides and floods in Mewakhola. Now, traders are using alternative route from Dovan bazaar in Change and Khamlung areas to ferry foods to the village. “We are paying Rs 200 to transport a sack of rice,” said Nalbu.

Likewise, Mohan Bhandari, a teacher at Khamlung Secondary School, said it takes two days for them to ferry foodstuffs using tractors to Khamlung which is only five hours’ walking distance from Dhovan. Locals said Rs 75,000 provided by the District Development Committee to repair the road was insufficient.

Meanwhile, Nepali Congress leader Pratap Prakash Hangam said landslide-hit people are planning to draw attention of the local administration to repair the road.

Former chairman of Thukimba VDC, Mangal Singh Kedem, said though expensive, foodstuffs are available in the area as traders have supplied them in

sufficient quantity.