One more person goes missing in Taplejung landslide, two others rescued

Published On: June 19, 2023 08:51 AM NPT By: Khagendra Adhikari

TAPLEJUNG, June 19: One more person from Sidingwa rural municipality-6, Mehele in Taplejung due to a landslide that occurred last night as a result of incessant rainfall on Saturday night.

Kamal Kadariya, a local resident, reported that out of the three people affected by the landslide, two individuals were rescued in an injured condition, while the condition of one other remains unknown.

According to Kadariya, the condition of Keshar Bahadur Rai from Mehele Mukubhanjyang has yet to be ascertained. Kadariya informed Republica that Rajkumar Rai and Suresh Rai, residents of the same area who were hit by the landslide, were successfully rescued despite their injuries.

Keshar Bahadur, who went missing, is father of Suresh, who was rescued in an injured condition. The health condition of those rescued is critical.

Earlier, three other individuals from a house went missing in a landslide that occurred on Saturday night. The whereabouts of them is yet to be known. Those missing have been identified as Bhagimaya Budhakshetri, her daughter-in-law Sandhya Budhakshetri, and her grandson Prajwal Budhakshetri from Bhalukhop.

Police said the body of the missing Ganesh Tamang from Mehele Bhalukhop was recovered from the landslide. Although the local Nilgiri Secondary School area of Mehele is considered somewhat safe from landslides, the affected people are facing obstacles to reach that place due to recurring landslides, rising water levels, and torrential rains.

Bhim Bahadur Bhattarai and Sher Bahadur Basnet from Tellok area of Sirijunga Rural Municipality-4 had to evacuate their house due to the landslide. Local resident Indra Ghatani informed that they have been relocated to a safer place along with other community members.

Rainfall continues to wreak havoc in Taplejung, causing difficulties in relief and rescue operations. Local authorities have urged everyone to exercise caution as the rain shows no signs of stopping.

Goma Devi Chemjong, the Chairman of the District Disaster Management Committee, said that relief and rescue works have been accorded the highest priority by the disaster management committee. She also said that all available resources have been mobilized for these efforts.