Extreme cold cripples daily life in Upper Mustang

KATHMANDU: The severe winter chill has begun to heavily disrupt daily life in Upper Mustang, with temperatures plunging to –15°C during mornings and evenings.

Residents, security personnel, and government employees are struggling as water sources, irrigation canals, and household pipelines freeze solid.

According to Karma Nangel Gurung, Ward Chair of Chhoser (Lomanthang–2), the extreme cold has caused water taps, irrigation canals, toilet tanks, and even small river branches to freeze.

“Water has stopped flowing from taps. We have to heat canal water under the sun during the day, and if the sun doesn’t shine, we heat it with gas or fire,” he said.

Chhoser’s three drinking-water tanks are now being operated in rotation due to the freezing problem.

Early Migration to Lower Regions

As winter conditions set in earlier than usual this year, most Upper Mustang residents migrated to lower regions even before the Nepali month of Kartik.

Ward Chair Gurung noted that last year, when the border checkpoint was not fully operational, nearly all residents had moved down.

But this year, around 300 people have remained, supported by trade activities through the Korala border.

Hotels Close, Tourism Declines

Local tourism entrepreneur Ram Gurung reported that residents of Lomanthang are also rapidly moving down to avoid the harsh cold.

Of about two dozen hotels targeting tourists, nearly two-thirds have already shut down, and the rest are expected to close within a week.

“Very few tourists are arriving, and locals are leaving to escape the cold. For the next two months, many hotels will remain closed, and daily life has become extremely difficult,” he said.

Frozen Canals Pose Risk

In Lomanthang, frozen irrigation canals have begun to overflow once the sun thaws the ice, creating risk of flooding or damage.

Due to this, authorities have shut off water sources at the canal head, said Ward Chair Dhokke Bista. All construction and development works have come to a complete halt.

Police Units Will Not Relocate

Despite the extreme weather, police units in Upper Mustang will not be relocated to lower regions, according to the District Police Office, Mustang.

Inspector Santosh Basyal stated that police posts in Lomanthang, Chhoser, Chhonup, Charang, Ghami, and Surkhang will continue operating in the same locations.

“Only in cases of heavy snowfall or a severe emergency would we consider moving units. Cold alone is not a reason for relocation,” he said.

With freezing temperatures, mass migration, and halted development works, Upper Mustang is bracing for one of its harshest winter seasons yet.