National
Far-West receives first snowfall, rains
With winter season in full swing, upper parts of Far-West region on Sunday experienced first snowfall and rains of this season, adding to the woes of commoners.With winter season in full swing, upper parts of Far-West region on Sunday experienced first snowfall and rains of this season, adding to the woes of commoners. The snowfall in the mountain villages of Far-West has made life difficult.
Darchula district witnessed rainfall from early Sunday morning giving shivering to locals. The first rainfall of this winter also triggered snowfall in mountainous VDCs of the district. Locals complain of hardships due to the snowy weather during this time of the year.
Snowfall has started in Byas, Khandeshwori, Ghusa, Sitola, Rapla, Guljar, among other dozen VDCs in the district. A local of Khandeshwori, Kalyan Singh Bohara, said that the VDC started receiving snowfall even before the rainfall.
Bohara said the snowfall started at around 1-2pm on Sunday after the weather turned bad due to rainfall. “We received continuous snowfall in our villages for about an hour which stopped later,” said Bohara. Now there is drizzle in village while snowfall is continuous in mountains above the village, he added.
Police Inspector Rana Bahadur Chand said there was snowfall in Khandeshwori VDC. “If rains continue throughout the night, it is likely that other villages will also receive snowfall,” said Inspector Chand.
Meanwhile, farmers have hailed the winter rainfall. Agriculture Development Office expects the rainfall will help the crops to flourish that were on the brink of wastage due to lack of rainfall for long period.
Likewise, another far western district Bajhang also received rainfall on Sunday. The rain occurred nearly after three months. Along with the rains, snowfall has started in its mountain regions.
The rain has cleared the environment as it washed away dust particles in the atmosphere. It has also raised the hopes of farmers who were worried due to lack of rainfall that was long overdue. “We were worried that there might be a draught like last year,” said a farmer, Jaya Bahadur Bista, of Malumela in the district. “We expect a good harvest after this rain.”
In Bajhang, Kada, Surma, Daulichaur and Dahabagar received snowfall. Tek Bahadur Bohara of Kada said there are high chances that Yarsa will flourish in the Patan this year due to rainfall and thick snowfall. Last year, due to eight-month draught, Yarsha production had declined sharply.
Though the rain and snow brought a respite to farmers, they have also increased the cold in the regions. Daily life has been badly hampered due to thick snow. Gorakh Bahadur Bohara of Surma VDC in Bajhang said it was difficult to conduct daily chores outside the house. “Mostly children and elderly people are worst hit by the escalating cold. It’s difficult to find fodder for domestic animals,” said Bohara.