Hilly districts of the mid and far western regions are likely to face shortage of food as transportation of food grains in the districts has stopped for over a month.

Reports say, although there is adequate supply of food at the regional depots in Nepalgunj and Dhangadi, the godowns in the districts are gradually emptying as they have not been refilled for a long time.

Kantipur daily reported, the transportation of food grains to the remote districts of mid and far western districts has been stopped as the government did not sanction budget it.

Food stocks in Mugu, Humla and Dolpa have replenished to 200, 1300 and 4500 quintals respectively.

The food prices are also likely to go up sharply in the hilly districts due to the delay in transportation.

Food can be transportation on land in the dry season. But, the roads will be closed in the rainy seasons due to which food needs to be transported by air.

According to acting chief of Nepal Food Corporation (NFC) regional office, Nepalgunj Durga Prasad Ojha, it takes four times more to transport food by air than by transporting on land.

‘This is the time we should ferry food,’ said Ojha. ‘It will cost more to ferry the food once the rainy season starts. At least Rs 10 million can be saved if the food is ferried now instead of the monsoon.’ nepalnews.com