KATHMANDU, July 12: Geologist Dr Ranjan Kumar Dahal has suggested that a state of emergency should be declared if more than 150 mm of rain falls in 24 hours in landslide-prone areas. Dr Dahal, who is an expert in geo disasters at Tribhuvan University and vice president of International Association for Engineering Geology, emphasized the need for a state of emergency to prevent significant loss of life and property. He pointed out that the declaration of emergency is crucial to prevent further damage, especially in areas with high risks due to vertically cut cliffs.
FLOOD ALERT: Heavy rainfall towards western Nepal
Dr Dahal also mentioned that over 65 people have gone missing after two buses plunged into the Trishuli River due to a landslide on the Narayanghat-Mugling Highway. He suggested that halting traffic on Mugling Road after receiving a warning of more than 144 mm of rain in a day could help avoid further damage. As a land disaster expert, Dr Dahal stressed the importance of deploying more than 5,000 Nepal Army, Armed Police Force, and Nepal Police personnel in the excavation process along the Prithivi Highway and Narayanghat-Mugling road section, stating that immediate action is necessary to address the challenges posed by land disasters.
According to Chitwan’s Chief District Officer Indra Dev Yadav, at least 65 passengers of two separate buses have gone missing in the Trishuli River after a landslide washed away the buses at Simaltal on the Mugling-Narayanghat road section. The buses were traveling from Kathmandu to Gaur in Rautahat and from Birgunj to Kathmandu when the incident occurred at 3:30AM this morning.
