Humla, October 2
Heavy snowfall has disrupted travel along the Hilsa-Taklakot route in northern Humla, leaving 41 Nepali nationals stranded at Hilsa.
Immigration Officer Bimal Paudel said the stranded people are residents of Namkha Rural Municipality-1, 2 and 3, most of whom are engaged in business in Taklakot. They had reached Hilsa last Friday but were unable to proceed after snowfall began.
The Chinese side has closed the route for the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage due to heavy snowfall. Immigration staff member Pema Lama said the border is expected to reopen on Oct. 4. Although efforts are underway to clear the road on the Chinese side, it is expected to take longer to reopen the route on the Nepali side.
According to Armed Police Force DSP Nanda Bahadur Saud, around 2 to 2.5 feet of snow has accumulated in Hilsa. Lama said clearing the route would take longer as travellers have to cross Nara Lake to reach Hilsa.
Locals and security personnel are working to clear the snow and resume traffic.
A total of 6,010 people have travelled to Kailash Mansarovar through Hilsa this year. Most are Indian nationals, followed by visitors from the UK, US and Nepal. The snowfall has also affected local trade and daily life in the border area.
—RSS
