Heavy snowfall disrupts life and election campaigns in Bajura, brings relief to winter crops

Bajura: Continuous heavy snowfall over the past few days has significantly impacted life in Bajura, affecting daily activities and election campaigning, while providing relief to local farmers’ winter crops.

Chin Bahadur Rawal, a resident of Himali Rural Municipality-6, Padi, said that the snowfall over Friday, Saturday, and Monday has made it difficult for locals to graze their cows, buffaloes, sheep, and goats. “The winter months are already very cold here. Since the snowfall started last Friday, it has become challenging to leave homes and take livestock to the forest for grazing,” he explained.

Padi village, located in the Himalayan region, experiences heavy snowfall even with minimal rainfall. The extreme weather has also affected the elderly, children, and asthma patients in the area.

While the snowfall has posed challenges, it has provided much-needed relief to winter crops such as wheat, barley, and vegetables. Joga Rokaya, a local of Himali Rural Municipality, said, “There is no irrigation facility here, so we rely entirely on rain for winter crops. The prolonged drought had caused concern, but the recent snowfall has rejuvenated the crops.”

Rokaya added that the snowfall not only nourishes the crops but also helps eliminate pests that attack wheat, reducing the need for irrigation and raising hopes for a successful harvest this year.

The continuous snowfall has also disrupted election campaigning in the region. Political parties and candidates have struggled to reach villages and settlements, as most areas in the Himalayan region are covered in snow. Rawal noted that since last Friday, no party candidates have been able to visit the village for election activities.

The heavy snowfall in Bajura has thus created a complex situation—posing hardships for residents and campaigners while offering a much-needed boon for local agriculture.