PM Dahal visits flood-hit areas in eastern Nepal

KATHMANDU, June 20: The death toll from Saturday night’s landslides and floods in eastern Nepal has climbed to six as search operations for the missing people continue for the second straight day.

Government authorities confirmed that six people have died so far while 29 people are still missing in the floods and landslides triggered by incessant rainfall a few days after the monsoon entered Nepal.

 As per the government data, three persons died in Taplejung and one each in Paanchthar, Sankhuwasabha and Nuwakot districts. Nepal Police informed that five of the deceased are male and one female.     

Similarly, three persons were injured in floods and landslide in Sankhuwasabha, two in Taplejung and one in Paanchthar.     

Meanwhile, officials of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) said that the rescue efforts are still underway to locate the missing people.

Seventeen workers of the Hewa River Hydropower Project were swept away by the swollen river in Sanhkwasabha district on Saturday night. One of them was rescued in critical condition on Sunday and is undergoing treatment while the fate of others is uncertain.

"Rescuers are still searching for those who have remained out of contact due to floods and landslides since Saturday," AFP quoted NDRRMA Spokesperson Dhruba Bahadur Khadka as saying.

Meanwhile, Nepal Police Spokesperson Deputy Inspector General Kuber Kadayat said that out of total 29 people unaccounted for, 21 are still missing in Sankhuwasabha, while three have gobe out of contact in Taplejung and five in Panchthar following the floods and landslides.     

“The search for the missing is underway,” DIG Kadayat told the state-owned RSS.

According to the RSS, 35 houses, 10 huts, 13 bridges, five industries and two government offices have suffered damages. A total of 67 domestic cattle perished while 97 families have been displaced due to the natural disaster, RSS reported.     

“Police personnel with the coordination with different bodies and locals have been carrying out activities to shift the families, which are vulnerable to landslide and flood, to safer places.”     

According to the AFP, number of fatal floods and landslides has increased in Nepal in recent years

Citing experts, the news agency said climate change and road construction could have been worsening these disasters.

Krishna Kumar Tamang, mayor of Chainpur municipality in Sankhuwasabha, told AFP he feared more damage from the ongoing rains.

"We are doing whatever we can do to rescue and provide the affected people relief," he told AFP. "The rainfall has not stopped. More settlements are at risk due to floods and landslides."

According to AFP, forecasters have warned river levels would continue to rise for the next three days.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal visited the flood-hit districts in Koshi Province on Monday for an inspection.

Prime Minister Dahal, who landed at Tumlingtar Airport, was briefed by the Chief District Officer about rescue and relief efforts taking place in the district following the disaster.

Expressing his sorrow over the loss of lives and properties, Prime Minister Dahal reportedly extended heartfelt condolence to the bereaved families.  He directed the authorities concerned to ensure effective rescue and relief operations by intensifying the search for the missing people.

According to the RSS, PM Dahal also appealed to social organizations for collaboration with the government in post-disaster efforts for rescue and relief.  He asked for prompt restorations of damaged road and transport infrastructure and shelter provisions  for those left homeless by the disaster.

During his visit, the Prime Minister pledged to restore the damaged roadways and bridges in the affected areas. He also assured the provisions of both temporary and permanent rehabilitation for the affected.

PM Dahal was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, Narayan Kaji Shrestha; Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Prakash Jwala ; Minister for Urban Development, Sita Gurung; lawmakers  Yogesh Bhattarai, Basanta Nembang, Deepak Khadka, and Koshi Provincial Assembly member Rajendra Karki.  The team also included Chief of the Army Staff, Prabhuram Sharma, an engineer from the Ministry of Home Affairs, and officials from the Office of the Prime Minister. 

 
• incessant_rainfall
 
• flood
 
• landslide
 
• Karnali_Province