Inhabitants of five mountain districts in far-western Nepal have been hit hard by a shortage of salt. The salt that is available costs Rs 40 a kg. The demand remains unmet despite a six-month-old agreement between local representatives of the Karnali Zone and the Salt Trading Corporation in Kathmandu. Locals of Humla, one of the most remote districts in the country, are further worried that winter snows will close down the airport and disrupt supply flights. Residents of southern Humla have been forced to travel to Bajura to buy salt, and their northern counterparts head to Taklakot on the Tibetan border.