Mustang, 31 Oct: Snowfall has been reported in Mustang since last night due to the impact of Cyclone ‘Arnab’, which developed over the Bay of Bengal. Moderate to heavy snowfall has occurred in settlements and surrounding areas of Lo-Manthang and Lo-Ghekar Damodarkunda rural municipalities in Upper Mustang.
Snowfall has been continuing in the settlements of Chhoser, Lo-Manthang and the Korala border crossing with Tibet, alongside the partial influence of westerly winds. Heavy snowfall has been recorded in the high Himalayan areas, according to Umesh Poudel, chief of the Area Conservation Office of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) in Lo-Manthang.
“Snowfall is occurring even in Lo-Manthang Bazaar. The temperature has dropped, and we have requested tourists not to travel,” Poudel said.
Snowfall has also affected the road connecting Jomsom, the district headquarters, with Lo-Manthang. Tourists planning to visit Upper Mustang have been urged to exercise caution. Vehicle movement along the road connecting Lo-Manthang with Korala has become difficult.
According to Santosh Basal, information officer at the Mustang District Police Office, rainfall has been reported in Lower Mustang, while hills in the higher-altitude areas have turned white with snow. Police Inspector Basal said tourists currently visiting Mustang have also been advised not to travel to tourist destinations until weather conditions improve.
Automatic weather monitoring stations have recorded moderate rainfall in Mustang amid the partial influence of westerly winds. According to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology’s Pokhara office, rainfall is likely to continue throughout Saturday.
A special weather bulletin issued by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority and the Meteorological Forecasting Division has listed Mustang among the districts likely to be affected by Cyclone ‘Arnab’.
Mustang Chief District Officer Parshuram Pokhrel said no reports of tourists facing difficulties due to snowfall or rainfall had been received so far.
Heavy snowfall, snowstorms and avalanches pose risks along trekking routes in Myagdi, Manang and Dolpa, which border Mustang. Security agencies and ACAP officials have been asked to remain on high alert.
As of Saturday morning, the Beni-Jomsom-Korala section of the Kaligandaki Corridor and other rural roads in the district remained operational.
