Jumla, Jan 26: Increased cold in the aftermath of a snowfall in Jumla has disrupted normal life. The temperature in the district, part of Karnali Province, has dropped to minus 0.71 degrees Celsius, causing water in taps run no more but freeze.
As water froze with extreme cold, the water pipes started cracking. The disruption of water supplies has added woes to the local residents. “It is biting cold paralyzing daily life in Jumla,” said Sunita Budha of Chandannath municipality. Along with Jumla, cold wave has gripped Mugu, Humla, and Dolpa districts of the upper Karnali.
According to Asham Pura Karki, Chief of the Jumla Office of the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, the cold has increased significantly following the recent snowfall. The temperature dropped below zero, wreaking hostility to daily life particularly during mornings and evenings/nights.
Irrespective of the adversity, farmers have warmly welcomed the snowfall occurred after a drought for months. It is the first snowfall of the season. Local resident Lanka Budha of Tila rural municipality–1 said the snowfall was beneficial for winter crops: it helps retain soil moisture and supports plant growth. Jumla’s hills are now blanketed with snow.
The Agriculture Development Office, Jumla also stated that the snowfall is essential for winter crops like wheat, barley and potatoes to thrive. Meanwhile, air services that had been disrupted due to snowfall resumed on Sunday, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal Office, Jumla.
