SOLUKHUMBU, April 27: A village once blanketed by heavy winter snow is now witnessing a striking shift in weather patterns, as climate change reshapes life in Nepal’s high Himalayan region.
Khumjung, located at around 4,000 meters in Ward No. 4 of Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality in the Everest region, is increasingly experiencing the direct impacts of rising temperatures and changing seasons. Residents say the village, a few kilometres from Namche Bazaar, has undergone visible environmental changes over the past two decades.
Kinjom Sherpa, 41, chairperson of the Khumjung Women’s Group, recalls that around 20 years ago, winter months of December to February brought heavy snowfall that required residents to clear thick snow from their homes. “Now, instead of snow, the winter months are infested by insects,” she said.
She added that snowfall still occurs but has become irregular, often shifting to March and April, a critical period for farming and tourism. “Earlier, snow in the right season helped moisten the soil and support agriculture. But when it falls in March, crops fail to sprout or die even if they grow,” she said.
Scientific studies also confirm a rise in temperature in the region. According to Dr. Sudip Thakuri, Associate Professor at Tribhuvan University’s Central Department of Environmental Science, the Himalayas are experiencing elevation-dependent warming.
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“Based on meteorological data from Khumbu and nearby stations, the most significant warming is seen during the monsoon period. The area’s temperature has increased by an average of 0.044 degrees Celsius per year, while rainfall has decreased by about 9 millimetres annually,” Thakuri said, citing research findings.
He added that Nepal’s national average temperature is rising by about 0.034 degrees Celsius annually, indicating that warming in the Himalayan region is more intense than the national trend.
Local livelihoods, especially agriculture, are also being affected. Nima Yangjin Sherpa, a ward member of Ward No. 4, said production has declined significantly in recent years. “Earlier, 2 ropani of land would produce around 60 loads of potatoes. Now it has been reduced by half,” she said.
She linked the decline to drying water sources, irregular snowfall, shrinking wells, and shifting seasonal cycles. “Agriculture has been directly affected by these environmental changes,” she added.
Residents believe these transformations are beyond human control and are largely driven by climate change. “Nature is our life. We depend on it. No one should play with it. We need justice and services to cope with this crisis,” said Sherpa.
Experts also raised concerns at a recent climate conference held in Khumjung by NGO SaatSaathai and Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality. Glaciologist and climate expert Arun Bhakta Shrestha said increased greenhouse gas emissions are driving rising global temperatures, glacier melt, drying water sources, and erratic rainfall patterns.
Member of Parliament Indira Rana Magar stressed that climate change disproportionately affects women and children, calling on the government to prioritise inclusive and long-term climate policies.
According to Prajita Karki, chairperson of SaatSaathai, local initiatives such as climate conferences and climate walks are being organised to highlight the struggles of high Himalayan communities at national and international levels.
With support from SaatSaathai, a week-long “climate justice trek” from Lukla to Khumjung and up to Gokyo Lake (4,800m) was organised, involving experts, lawmakers, energy specialists, rights activists, youth, journalists, and civil society members. The trek concluded last Saturday.
The event ended with a nine-point Gokyo Declaration calling for Nepal to lead climate justice efforts among Himalayan nations, strengthen climate diplomacy, and ensure climate actions remain just, inclusive, and rights-based.
