The rains have also damaged roads, obstructing people wanting to travel, and inundated dozens of houses. [break]
According to Republica correspondent Pushpa Raj Joshi, three siblings were killed by landslide in Malatikot-7 of Achham district. Isara Bishwokarma, 16, Ramesh Bishwokarma, 14, and Rup Bishwokarma, 4, were crushed by landslide debris.
They met their tragic fate while accompanying their mother Jogini Devi Bishwokarma, who was heading toward a local river to bathe. A joint team mobilized by Gauri Thanti and Shantada police posts dug up the three bodies from the debris.
According to Republica correspondent Samundra Poudel, a girl has been killed by landslide in Tanahu. Jyoti Thapa, 12, of Bhagawatipur-5 in Tanahu, was crushed by landslide while out cutting grass.
According to Republica correspondent Tek Narayan Bhattarai, two persons have been killed in separate mishaps caused by incessant rain in Arghakhachi district.
Kunti Magar, 54, a resident of Hasarpur village, died after being trapped under the debris of her own house, which was damaged by landslide triggered by torrential rain.
Similarly, Chami Pun of the same village drowned in a local river. Pun was swept away by the Hiun Khola and the body was found on Saturday morning. According to Deputy Superintend of Police (DSP) Arun Poudel, landslide has swept away two houses in Hasarpur owned by Uday Thapa and Kedar Gharti.
Rural roads blocked
Most rural roads in Palpa, Gulmi and Arghakhachi districts have been blocked by landslide following incessant rains. According to Harish Chandra Pandey, an overseer at the District Development Office (DDO), Arghakhachi, landslides have blocked all rural roads for the last few days, except the one connecting Shandhikharka with Gorusingh.
Passengers have been stranded along the Palpa-Butwal segment of Siddartha Highway since landslides have damaged several parts of the road. Transport has come to a screeching halt in Gulmi as well since most rural roads here have been blocked for days.
Similarly, according to Republica correspondent Dilip Poudel, passengers have been stranded along the Baglung section of the proposed Mid Hills Highway, which will connect the country´s east with the western region once it coming into operation and provides an alternative to the East-West Highway. Passengers are walking the road to reach their destination.
250 houses inundated
According to Republica correspondent Chandni Hamal, around 250 houses in the southwestern area of Chitwan district have been inundated by the Narayani and Rapti Rivers. Although an embankment has been built under the People´s Embankment Program, the latest government initiative to fend off flooding, several tributaries of the Narayani, which has swollen in the aftermath of recent rains, changed course and headed into human settlements.
“The embankment has failed to prevent the Narayani from entering our village,” said Kush Raj Kumal, a local of Meghauli. Nine villages in Chitwan are prone to recurring floods.
MoHA alerts CDOs over possible floods
The home ministry on Saturday has instructed chief district officers (CDOs) to remain on high alert so as to be able to provide speedy relief to victims of floods and landslides as torrential rains continue to wreak havoc across the country.
According to a source, the ministry has asked CDOs not to accept leave requests made by doctors, security officials and rescue teams working in their respective districts.
“CDOs, especially those in the districts vulnerable to floods, have been instructed not to allow security officials, doctors and rescue teams go on leave until rainy season is over,” the source told Republica.
The home ministry´s decision comes at time when a dozen people have lost their lives and hundreds displaced due to mudslides, floods and inundations in various parts of the country.
According to the source, CDOs have also been instructed to personally visit flood- affected areas. “CDOs have also been instructed to consult Red Cross and district chambers of commerce to prepare relief packages,” the source added.
The ministry has also directed CDOs to immediately inform the ministry should anything serious happen in their concerned districts.
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