Life on Hold: Mugu Village Deserted as Temperatures Plummet

The Mugu village, located in Ward No. 2 of Mugu Sorma Karmoarong Rural Municipality in the Himalayan district of Mugu, has become deserted due to the cold. Due to the extreme cold and wind, which has increased the level of chill beyond limits, the residents of 120 households have fled the village.

Mugu village, situated at an altitude of approximately 3300 meters above sea level, experiences excessively cold temperatures every year in the month of Mangsir. To escape the cold, the local residents leave the village annually. Continuing this tradition this year as well, locals have moved to safer locations such as Sirani Chaur, Pulu, and Gamgadhi.

Even the employees of the local government's ward office, as well as the personnel from the Nakchelagna Border Police Post, health institutions, and educational institutions in the village, have left for safer locations. Due to the cold, no crops are grown in the village fields. Consequently, currently, only two priests and a few yak owners remain in the village.

Chara Tasi Lama, a local of Mugu village, informed that only agricultural work and development activities take place in the village during the months of Chaitra and Baishakh. Other activities are minimal during this time.

It has been observed that the majority of families in Mugu village reside there only during the summer season, in a temporary settlement setting. As the temperature drops severely during the winter, the livelihood of the locals becomes difficult. Therefore, they relocate every year with the objective of avoiding the cold.

This year too, the local police post, health workers, and teachers in Mugu village have relocated to Sirani Chaur and other places. Some yak owners have moved towards the Patan (high-altitude pastures) for the care of their yaks. 

Ward Chairman of Mugu village, Chyawa Lama, said, “The village has become deserted. Only a few families and some yak owners remain here. The majority of the citizens here have moved to safer locations due to the cold. This is part of the normal process.”