Security forces have rescued passengers stranded on the Mid-Hill Highway following heavy snowfall on Friday night.

Three buses traveling from Rukum West to Kathmandu, along with other light vehicles, were stuck in the Lukum-Patihalna section of the highway after a blizzard disrupted transportation on Friday night.

The vehicles were unable to cross the border between Rukum East and Baglung districts, forcing passengers to spend over 24 hours inside the vehicles.

Premika Malla, a passenger from Rukum West, said they had no option but to remain in the bus as there were no hotels nearby. "We spent nearly 48 hours without food," she added.

Chief District Officer of Rukum West, Rudra Prasad Neupane, stated that Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force cleared snow from a 5-km stretch of Lukum-Patihalna and a 2-km section in Baglung, allowing the rescue operation.

Police Inspector Him Bahadur KC said buses traveling to and from Rukum resumed their journeys after the snow was cleared.

The local administration has urged transport operators to avoid nighttime bus operations due to recurring snowfall-related disruptions.

Every year, snowfall blocks roads along the Rukum East-Baglung border, affecting transportation in the region.

Rain and Snowfall Bring Relief to Farmers

Farmers in Jumla have welcomed the snowfall and rainfall that began on Friday morning, bringing much-needed moisture to their crops.

Although the district receives snowfall every winter, this year’s snowfall arrived late. However, some areas have recorded up to one foot of snow, said Mun Bahadur Yedi, a resident of Patarasi Rural Municipality-1.

Winter crops, including barley and wheat, were drying up due to a lack of rain. Durga Shahi, a farmer from Hima Rural Municipality-6, said the snowfall has made it easier to plant new apple seedlings alongside barley and wheat.

Deepak Singh Dhami, Information Officer at the Agriculture Development Office, stated that the snowfall will support the planting of apple and walnut seedlings.

Meanwhile, air services in Upper Karnali, including Jumla, have been disrupted due to snowfall. Public transport, including long- and short-distance vehicles departing from Khalanga Bazaar, has also been partially affected, according to Tila Karnali Yatayat.

The Meteorological Field Office reported that Jumla received 33 millimeters of rainfall as of Saturday evening. -- RSS