Last Updated on October 31, 2026 by alizni
Heavy snowfall across high-altitude regions combined with persistent torrential rain in lower areas has severely disrupted daily life across Nepal’s Mustang district. Triggered by sweeping atmospheric changes linked to Cyclone Arnab, the sudden weather shift has created major logistical hurdles in the Trans-Himalayan belt. Most notably, multiple landslides and thick snow accumulation have halted vehicular movement along the critical Jomsom-Korala road section, shutting down transit toward the strategic Korala border point.
Local administrative authorities, led by Mustang Chief District Officer Parashuram Pokharel, are closely monitoring the unfolding situation. Security personnel and road clearing teams have been put on alert, while residents and incoming travelers are advised to exercise extreme caution during this spell of severe weather.
How Cyclone Arnab Caused Widespread Disruption in Mustang
The dramatic shift in weather conditions across northern Nepal is largely attributed to the influence of Cyclone Arnab. As the weather system moved across the sub-continent, it generated a distinct dual impact across Mustang’s varied elevation levels. In Upper Mustang—most significantly in Lomanthang Rural Municipality and Lo-Ghekar Damodarkund Rural Municipality—dense snow cover began accumulating on Friday night and continued through the weekend.
Simultaneously, lower-altitude areas faced non-stop rainfall, soaking mountain slopes and compromising soil stability. Mustang, world-renowned for its arid high-desert landscape, is exceptionally susceptible to heavy rainfall events. The unseasonable downpours rapidly destabilized steep cliffs, triggering mudslides and landslide debris onto unpaved mountain corridors. High-altitude mountain passes were swiftly covered in heavy snow blankets, plunging temperatures across rural settlements and severely reducing visibility.
Key Transportation Routes and Korala Border Closure
The most immediate structural consequence of the storms has been the total closure of major arterial transit lines. The Jomsom-Korala road stretch, which links the administrative center of Mustang to the northern frontier, is currently impassable. Rainfall-induced landslides in Varagung Muktikshetra Rural Municipality and surrounding stretches have deposited large boulders, thick mud, and rocks directly across vehicular lanes.
Further north in Upper Mustang, deep snow drifts have rendered unpaved tracks completely impassable for two-wheelers and heavy vehicles alike. As a direct result, activity at the Korala border pass—an increasingly vital trade and travel route between Nepal and China—has ground to a complete standstill. Freight transports, passenger vehicles, and local supply trucks remain parked at safe staging areas, awaiting clear weather and emergency road maintenance.
Challenges Facing Local Residents and Travelers
For high-altitude communities in Upper Mustang, sudden freezing spells and heavy snow present immediate daily challenges. Local residents in Lomanthang and nearby villages have largely been confined indoors due to plummeting temperatures and snow-covered pathways. Heating fuel consumption, livestock protection, and maintaining essential utility supplies are top priorities for rural households facing reduced outdoor mobility.
The weather disruption has similarly affected travelers, including pilgrims traveling toward the famous Muktinath Temple and trekkers navigating the popular Annapurna Circuit and Upper Mustang trails. Numerous visitors have seen their itineraries delayed or canceled, finding shelter in Jomsom and nearby towns until highway access is re-established. Local authorities have requested tourist operators and independent drivers to refrain from navigating mountain roads until thorough safety inspections take place.
Official Response and Road Clearance Efforts
Mustang’s Chief District Officer Parashuram Pokharel confirmed that local administration agencies and road maintenance crews are coordinating efforts to restore connectivity. Emergency clearing operations along lower highway stretches are slated to begin as soon as active rainfall stops, ensuring heavy equipment operators can work without the immediate risk of falling rocks.
However, clearing high-altitude snow passes near the Korala border poses distinct difficulties due to persistent low temperatures, freezing conditions, and icy road surfaces. Technical teams are monitoring active landslide zones to clear debris safely and prevent accidents. The district administration has opened direct channels to provide continuous updates to transport syndicates, local leaders, and visiting tourists.
Conclusion
The sudden severe weather brought by Cyclone Arnab highlights the extreme unpredictability of weather shifts in Nepal’s fragile Himalayan region. While local authorities work to clear landslide debris and reopen the Jomsom-Korala road, travelers planning journeys into Mustang are urged to remain patient and consult local travel advisories before departing. With coordinated disaster response efforts underway, officials hope to safely clear the blocked transit corridors as soon as weather conditions stabilize.