7 houses face risk of landslides, agricultural field of 30 families destroyed

Published On: July 11, 2021 03:04 PM NPT By: Republica

BAITADI, July 11: A family in Dogdakedar Rural Municipality-1 in Baitadi has been displaced after a landslide and flood in the region left seven houses at the risk of getting swept away. According to Madan Joshi, a landslide which passed over his house, leaving it severely damaged, has left him and his family with no choice but to leave their home.

He said that the house was completely damaged when a landslide occurred from the slope above at around 3 AM, burying half of his household and food items. The family with the help of locals have relocated their cattle and other goods which were saved from the disaster.

According to Darshan Khadka, spokesperson and Inspector of Police of the district, as many as six houses face the risk of getting hit by a landslide. Houses belonging to the locals Yagya Raj Joshi, Nanda Raj Joshi, Tula Ram Joshi, Keshab Joshi, Mahadev Joshi and Jaganath Joshi are at high risk of getting hit by a landslide. According to locals, agriculture fields including maize, paddy and other crops belonging to local residents have been destroyed by the landslide along with Madan Joshi’s house.

The incessant rain in the region has left the local residents at the risk of landslides, Khadka said. A team of police personnel has been dispatched to the areas with risks of landslides, he added. Similarly, agriculture fields belonging to as many as 30 families in Dhamali village at Dogdakedar Rural Municipality-2 were destroyed by the flooded Dikgadh River and Bhakunde Khola, Janak Bahadur Karki, a local, informed Republica.

According to the Disaster Preparedness and Response Plan prepared by the District Disaster Management Committee, eight local units in Baitadi district are at high risk of getting hit by landslides. In addition, floods in the region have swept away four watermills and destroyed crop fields, which has worried the local farmers. The risk of floods in the rivers is still growing due to the incessant rainfall in the region.