Rain was an occasional phenomena in trans-himalayan region of Nepal. Manang and Mustang, the two trans-himalayan districts are experiencing unprecedented rainfall in revent times.
Even the locals in the high hills also have noted that they could see a change in rainfall pattern these days. With the start of rainfall here, old-age structures made of clay are at risk of collapse. People residing around the Nilgiri Peak in Mustang said the area would not see rainfall annually, but now the pattern has changed and rainfall has been frequent weakening the clay-made structures.
Settlements on the lap of the Nilgiri are facing the consequences of the change in rainfall pattern. Lupra, Marpha, Jomsom, Chhairu, Thini and Thyang feature the traditional houses with clay roof tiles. It seems such roof tiles are not enough to resist rainfall as they are gradually getting crumbled with rainfall becoming frequent.
Such structures are made for special purposes to challenge a chilling cold in the high alpine settlement. They work as an indigenous air-conditioning system to keep houses warm and prevent people from consequences of biting cold. They still remember using shovels to clear off the snow depositions from their roof sometimes.
Climate in high lands is almost all time cold and houses with clay roof keep them less affected by the cold. Locals say, they now see challenges to keep the indigenous architect intact. The scale of incidences of rainfall-caused disasters has gone up while changing climate system has its direct impact on the agriculture production. Peaks here are facing the snow melting. They seem at high risk of extinction.
Mosquitoes which are usually found in tropical regions have also started to be climb up to the mountain region these days. So people have to use mosquito nets. Moreover, places like Lomanthang, Chhonup, Chhoser, Surkhang, Charang, Ghami among others in Upper Mustang are facing water crisis due to the low amount of snowfall. The water crisis was so acute at Samjung settlement in Chhoser that it had to be shifted to Namasung village.
It was a belief under locals that monsoon does not cross the Himalayas. But sudden flash floods in Manang and Mustang, the trans-Himalayan districts, last year is the vivid example of this changing pattern of weather and monsoon in northern himalayas of Nepal.
