Manang, January 8
Owing to the downfall in temperature, many lakes and rivers in Manang and Mustang districts of western Nepal have frozen. Consequently, locals have feared water crisis.
Manang Chief District Officer Hari Prasad Panta says all sources of drinking water have turned into ice on the surface. People can walk on the surface of local Gangapurna Lake, according to him. The Marsyangdi River, however, is still flowing owing to its bigger volume, Panta informs.
“Water taps have stopped working as water froze,” he says, “We can get water only when we heat up the pipes.”
Panta says locals have feared snowfall as it might hit their life harder.
Meanwhile, many locals have already shifted to Pokhara, Kathmandu and other places to skip the brunt of cold weather. Marketplaces have worn a deserted look.
Most of the schools have been closed whereas government offices are receiving service seekers nominally.
The temperature in Manang district headquarters this morning is about -10 degree Centigrade, 2 degree more than yesterday’s, the official informs. Officials say the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology does not have sufficient equipment to measure and update temperature of the district on time.
