The district has witnessed snowfall behind its regular time. It was natural to have a snowfall of the season in mid-November, but it is much-delayed snowfall now.
The delayed snowfall has taken everyone by surprise.
Chief District Officer Suprabha Khanal informed that the snowfall occurred delaying 100 days in Manang this season. However, the locals are happy with the snowfall. "The upper Manang witnessed heavy snowfall some days back while the lower belt got it today," she added.
"We were worried whether the snow faded forever. The delayed snow has however restored happiness. If the snow had not occurred, Manang would have suffered a dry spell, affecting badly the production," said 74-year-old farmer Yangdung Gurung from Pisang of Ngisyang Rural Municipality-1.
The delayed snowfall cannot contribute to an increase in production because it does not dampen the earth's surface. "Potato and karu are staples here. The crops planted in April/May should receive snowfall in mid-November for good yield and harvest," the delayed snowfall this time does not dampen the soil fully.
Anyway, it helps reduce dryness, the farmer shared.
He further viewed that once the snowfall does not occur on time, the apple production is at the receiving end. "March and April is the time the apple trees flower. The snowfall that occurred in March does not moisten up to the roots of the apple tree. However, we have little hope," Gurung shared.
Similarly, the Chairperson of Narpabhumi Rural Municipality, Kunjo Tenjing Lama, informed that even the high Himalayan belt failed to get adequate snowfall. "Snowfall that could be seen on the hills is now seen only at foothills," he added.
Meanwhile, the untimely snowfall is to affect the temporary migration of the people from the upper belt.
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