Four families fled their houses in Dana village of Myagdi following landslides caused by incessant rains. Similarly, 26 families moved to safer place in Yamphudin village of Taplejung after water of Tamor River, which was blocked by landslides, swept their houses. [break]
In Myagdi, three houses have been buried by landslides. According to police, 30 more houses are under the risk of landslides.
The houses buried by landslides belong to Krishna Mijar, Durga Dutta Subedi and Buddhi Maya Mijar, of Dana-9, Phagam. Buddhi Maya has sustained injuries. Myagdi district hospital has referred her to Pokhara. According to DSP Nawa Raj Bhatta, no one has died. A police team has been dispatched to rescue villagers trapped by landslides.
According to Chief District Officer (CDO) Ram Bahadur Kurumbang, a rescue team supported by Nepal Red Cross has already reached the village with relief materials.
In Taplejung, river blockade due to a landslide from parts of Dhupe Danda and Yathek stream in Taplejung has displaced 26 families.
Residents residing near the bank of Kaveli River are forced to take refuge in the lower area of Yamfudin. Former Vice President of Yamphudin VDC, Abirman Rai, said that 129 members of the 26 families, after being displaced by the flood are forced to stay in open area. The displaced have little food supply with them and could face food crisis within few days.
According to Rai, if no alternative arrangement is made for the displaced, they could face further problems due to torrential rains. He said that until now there hasn´t been any initiative from the government´s side to help the displaced.
The president of Nepal Red Cross Society in Taplejung, Ganesh Adhikari, said that the locals have been facing the same problem for the last three years, only this time it´s big. Stating that immediate relief to reduce the danger of landslide is minimal Adhikari called for high-level intervention from the government.
He stressed that negligence from the government side despite joint reports from Red Cross and media personnel has further complicated the problem.
During the time of a similar landslide last year, a group comprising local political parties and stakeholders had gone there for a spot inspection. The group presented a report recommending use of gabion wire and concrete blocks for immediate and long-term solution to the landslide problem.
The group had estimated it would cost around Rs 40 million rupees for the project. It had also recommended that by forming a group of experts could prove useful for detailed study and long-term solution.
However, indifference from the government side regarding the achievements of the research has further complicated the problem, a journalist and spot inspector Ananda Gautam said.
Ishwar Raj Regmi, the chief district officer said long-term working policy to fight against all forms of natural disasters is complete. He said that after an all-party meeting, initiative against natural disaster has gained pace. Regmi promised additional measures to address the issue.
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