Minister Badu pledges to introduce relief programme for landslide survivors

Darchula: Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Dilendra Prasad Badu made a commitment to immediately introduce relief and rescue packages for landslide survivors in Darchula.

Minister Badu, who arrived in his home district Darchula inspected the flood and landslide-ravaged areas and pledged to bring a relief package in the first phase.

Minister Badu along with province ministers Dr Rana Bahadur Rawal and Man Bahadur Dhami had made an on-site inspection of the disaster-hit sites at Mahakali Municipality-4, Bangabagad.

After inspection, the team said first temporary residence would be arranged for the survivors before taking ahead other processes.

The team comprising federal ministers and provincial ministers had reached Darchula with relief materials including tents, foodstuffs and blankets for immediate relief.

Talking to RSS at Dhangadhi airport after the inspection, Minister for Internal Affairs Dr Rawal said, “The province government is immediately providing Rs 100,000 each to the families of the deceased.

Preparation is being made to render relief to the flood and landslide survivors without leaving any stone unturned”.

At least five people have lost their lives while 10 have gone missing in the landslide. Eight locals have sustained injuries.

The flood-fed Lasku rivulet and Mahakali river and landslide that occurred at Naugad had caused huge loss to lives and properties. Minister Badu directed the authorities concerned to carry out all-out efforts to provide relief to the disaster-hit people.

The flood that occurred in the Lasku rivulet caused a big loss to the entire family of Dhan Singh Karki- who has been running a business at Mahakali Municipality-3, Duduri. The body of his wife Manmati Karki was so far found nearby Mahakali municipality-5, confirmed Police Inspector at District Police Office, Darchula, Jagat Gahamagar. Dhan Singh and his sons Deepak and Dinesh are still at large.

Inspector Gahamagar further informed that 77-year-old Nandaram Bohora of Mahakali municipality-2 was found dead after being buried in his home. Other family members could manage to escape the incident but the old man could not.

Among other deceased identified is Janaki Thagunna, 37, of Naugad rural municipality-1, Salla, 13-year-old Dhanuli Thagunna and Mohanram Parki, 68, of ward 2.

Likewise, those missing in the landslide are Dhansingh Karki, Deepak Karki, and Dinesh Karki of Mahakali municipality-3; Saraswoti Luhar and Mohan Luhar of ward 4; Manmati Shahu of ward 2; Manju Luhar, Dinesh Luhar, Sahan Luhar and Daljeet Luhar of ward 1.

The Nepal Army’s helicopter and an air ambulance rescued the injured people from Mahakali municipality and Naugad rural municipality. The army helicopter had also transported relief materials for the survivors at both the local level. Relief was distributed to needy people in coordination with the local level and the Nepal Red Cross Society.

100 families affected
Flood and landslides have affected around 100 households at two local levels in Darchula. According to the District Police Office, Darchula, flood and disaster have completely damaged 42 houses and partially damaged nine houses and put 40 houses at high risk.

Police personnel were mobilized to collect the details of loss and damage. As informed, the disaster caused a big loss to Mahakali municipality, particularly in its wards 1, 2, 3 and 4. Likewise, landslides caused damage to the households of ward 1 of Naugad rural municipality.

“The rivulet saw increasing water level since 11.00 pm in the night”, said Mangal Singh Thagunna, a local. He added that the flood started eroding soil at 1.00 am the next day. The swollen Lasku rivulet had taken away the settlements along the river banks, he shared.

The Mahakali river was also swollen up with the rise in the water level in the Lasku rivulet. The Mahakali River had also entered into an embankment constructed by the Mahakali River Control Project with an increasing water current. Thagunna said the flood-fed river was sweeping away the human settlement.

Duhun-Khalanga out of contact
The flood that occurred in the Mahakali and Lasku also disrupted the road connecting Khalanga and Duhun Byas. The road from Ringat Lake to Kalaunbhir along the Darchula-Tingkar road section was obstructed.

With the flood taking away the road linking Duhun rural municipality and the Mahakali river, the people’s mobility has become tougher in the areas.

The Darchula-Tinker road which was constructed along the Mahakali embankment was completely damaged.

The flood and landslide took away motor-able and suspension bridges constructed over the Lasku rivulet. Two schools were broken down; equal numbers of schools were partially damaged in the incident. The quarter of Darchula Multiple College at Dungari has been at risk, police informed.

The Mahakali river took away nine vehicles. As many as 263 cattle of local farmers in Mahakali municipality and Naugad rural municipality died in the incident.