People living in the upper parts of Tehrathum, Taplejung and Sankhuwasabha districts are transporting daily essentials on mules and yaks this festival season as the roads remain obstructed by landslides.

Doma Sherpa of Guphapokhari, Taplejung, said since the Basantapur-Gufa-Taplejung road is blocked by landslides, people are transporting the goods using mules.

 An endless line of mules and yaks can be seen in Tutedeurali, Panchpokhari and Mangalbare areas

these days.

Dil Bahadur Limbu of Sanghu, Taplejung, said people living in 15 VDCs of three districts have been affected by the landslides.

People of Nundhaki, Tamaphek, Madimulkharka, Madirambeni and Sabhapokhari of Sankhuwasabha and Sanghu, Dhungesanghu, Phakumba and Niguradin of Taplejung have gathered at Deurali, Chauki and Gufa bazaar areas to transport food and other essentials to their villages.

Mule operators charge up to Rs 16 per kilogram of load to transport goods from Panchpokhari to Sanghu.

Pasang Sherpa of Nundhaki in Sankhuwasabha said the rice bought at Rs 52 per kg in bazaar costs Rs 68 upon reaching his village.