The mercury is falling for the past few days in Manang and Mustang, the districts beyond the Himalaya, forcing the people to shift to lower areas to evade cold. 

Highland areas above Chame, the district headquarters of Manang, have now recorded the minus temperature. Temperature here has dropped to minus 7 degrees Celsius. Pisang, Ghyaru, Ngawal, Bhraka, Tanki Manga and Khangsar lie on the upper Manang. Water sources have started freezing, Manang's Chief District office Ganja Bahadur MC said. 

Likewise, the folks of upper Mustang have already started shifting to lower areas to escape the harsh winter, according to Mustang's Local Development Officer Hari Bastola. 

The mercury in Jomsom, the district headquarters of Mustang, slides to minus 4 degrees Celsius in the morning and evening while the areas in upper part of the district are recording temperatures around minus 5 degrees. 

Lomanthang, Chhoser, Charang, Chhonup, Ghami and Surkhang lie on the upper Mustang. 

The religious site Muktinath Area is now in the icy grip as temperature has plummeted to – 5 degree. Tourists arrivals in the district have gone down with the increasing cold, hoteliers said. Water straight from the tap in Muktinath is freezing, said Suraj Gurung, proprietor of Hotel Grand based in Muktinath. RSS