No Food Shortage Expected During Dashain, Despite Road Closures
The government and private traders have reported that there is currently enough stock to meet the demand.

Kathmandu. Despite major highways being blocked due to continuous rain, causing disruption in transportation and supply chains, government officials assure there will be no shortage of food and essential goods during Dashain.
The government and private traders have reported that there is currently enough stock to meet the demand. According to the state-owned Food Management and Trading Company, there will be no immediate shortage of food supplies. The company has over 90,000 quintals of rice in stock at various provincial offices, with an additional 90,000 quintals being supplied, confirmed Sharmila Neupane Subedi, the company’s information officer.
Subedi also mentioned that food supply and transportation to remote districts like Humla, Jumla, Dolpa, Rolpa, Bajhang, and Bajura in Karnali Province have been arranged. Currently, there are 28,397 quintals of rice in stock for Karnali Province. She assured, “There’s no immediate concern about food shortages before Dashain, and once roads reopen, supplies to these districts will resume.”
Similarly, the government-run Salt Trading Corporation has ensured there will be no shortage of essential items such as sugar and salt. Kumar Rajbhandari, an information officer for the corporation, confirmed that the company has enough salt to last for 11 months, with a current stock of 132,000 metric tonnes. They also have 1,800 metric tonnes of sugar available. He added that their affordable stores are selling these essential goods and have already stocked enough sugar for Dashain.
Rajbhandari cautioned that while there are enough supplies for the next week or so, prolonged road blockages could lead to issues.
Retailers, too, have assured that there will be no shortage of essential goods during Dashain. According to Pavitra Bajracharya, president of the Nepal Retailers’ Association, Kathmandu Valley always maintains a two to three months’ stock of food items. “Even with road closures, there won’t be an immediate impact, and we are well-stocked for Dashain.”
However, he noted that continued rainfall could cause transportation problems if roads remain blocked in the coming days.
Affordable Shops Attract Customers
To ease the burden on consumers, the government has opened several fair-price shops in various districts, including Kathmandu. Since October 7th, the Food Management Company has been running these shops in 61 locations across 42 districts, offering discounts on essential items compared to regular market prices.
Subedi stated that the public has shown great interest in these fair-price shops. "So far, over 7,300 quintals of rice, sugar, and other goods have been sold," she said.
Salt Trading Corporation has also set up affordable stores in district headquarters and Kathmandu, selling items like salt, sugar, pulses, and cooking oil to meet consumer demand during the festival season.