Gorkha, September 30
Larkya La, popularly known as Larke Pass, has been completely blocked following heavy snowfall from Thursday to Saturday, disrupting movement between northern Gorkha and Manang.
The pass, located at an altitude of 5,106 metres along the border of northern Gorkha and Manang, has been covered by thick snow, affecting daily life in the region.
Nima Dorje Lama, a hotel operator from Samdo in Chumnubri Rural Municipality-1, said the closure has disrupted the transportation of essential supplies.
According to Lama, floods and landslides during the monsoon prevented daily necessities from being transported from markets in the lower areas. As a result, supplies began being transported to northern Gorkha from Bhimthang in Manang through Larkya La.
But the heavy snowfall has now erased the trail, making travel between the two areas impossible.
“Mules that went from here to collect supplies are stuck in Manang. Those that came from there are stranded here,” said Lama, a former ward member. “If the route remains closed for a few more days, a food shortage could develop in Samagaun and Samdo.”
The Manaslu trekking trail has also been obstructed at several points by floods and landslides. Bridges along the trail were swept away, preventing horses and mules from travelling through the area. Temporary wooden bridges have been built for local residents and tourists.
Because floods and landslides destroyed the bridges, horses and mules could not be used to transport goods from the lower parts of the district to Samagaun and Samdo during the monsoon. Residents have therefore been relying on Bhimthang in Manang for essential supplies.
Karma Chhewang Lama, chair of Chumnubri Rural Municipality-1, said movement to Manang had also come to a complete halt after snowfall blocked Larkya La.
“The Manaslu trail is already blocked, and Manang was the only route for transporting food to Samagaun and Samdo. Now that route has also been blocked by snow, creating further problems,” he said.
The closure of Larkya La has also affected trekking along the Manaslu-Larkya-Chum route, according to local resident Nima Lama.
“This is the tourist season. Hundreds of domestic and foreign tourists who came to cross Larkya La are now stranded in Samagaun and Samdo because the pass is blocked,” he said. “Tourists, tourism businesses, local hotel operators, guides and porters have all been affected.”
Lama said locals had written to the Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal, Manaslu Conservation Area Project, the rural municipality and the Chumnubri Hotel Entrepreneurs Association, requesting that Larkya La be reopened and made safe for travel.
Larkya La has been blocked by heavy snowfall in the past as well. Last year, local youths cleared the route, but Nima Dorje Lama of Samdo said that would not be possible this year.
“The snow is extremely thick this year. It is not possible for locals to clear it on their own,” he said.
