-Siddaraj Bhatta/Narendra Singh Karki Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Dilendra Prasad Badu made commitment to immediately introduce relief and rescue package for landslide survivors in Darchula. Minister Badu, who arrived in his home district Darchula inspected the flood and landslide-ravaged areas, pledged to bring relief package in the first phase. Minister Badu along with province ministers Dr Rana Bahadur Rawal and Man Bahadur Dhami had made on-site inspection of the disaster-hit sites at Mahakali Municipality-4, Bangabagad. After inspection, the team said first temporary residence would be arranged for the survivors before taking ahead other process. The team comprising federal minister and provincial ministers had reached Darchula with relief materials including tent, foodstuffs and blankets for immediate relief. Talking to RSS at Dhangadhi airport after the inspection, Minister for Internal Affairs Dr Rawal said, “The province government is immediately providing Rs 100,000 each to the families of the deceased. Preparation is being made to render relief to the flood and landslide survivors without leaving any stone unturned”. At least five people have lost their lives while 10 have gone missing in the landslide. Eight locals have sustained injuries. The flood-fed Lasku rivulet and Mahakali river and landslide occurred at Naugad had caused huge loss to the lives and properties. Minister Badu directed the authorities concerned to carry out all-out efforts to provide relief to the disaster-hit people. Flood occurred in the Lasku rivulet had caused big loss to the entire family of Dhan Singh Karki- who has been running business at Mahakali Municipality-3, Duduri. Body of his wife Manmati Karki was so far found nearby Mahakali municiplaity-5, confirmed Police Inspector at District Police Office, Darchula, Jagat Gahamagar. Dhan Singh and his both sons Deepak and Diensh are still at large. Inspector Gahamagar further informed that 77-year-old Nandaram Bohora of Mahakali municipality-2 was found dead after buried in his home. Other family members could manage to escape the incident but the old man could not. Among other deceased identified are Janaki Thagunna, 37, of Naugad rural municipality-1, Salla, 13-year-old Dhanuli Thagunna and Mohanram Parki, 68, of ward 2. Likewise, those missing in the landslide are Dhansingh Karki, Deepak Karki, Diensh Karki of Mahakali municiplaity-3; Saraswoti Luhar and Mohan Luhar of ward 4; Manmati Shahu of ward 2; Manju Luhar, Dinesh Luhar, Sahan Luhar and Daljeet Luhar of ward 1. The Nepal Army’s helicopter and air ambulance had rescued the injured people from Mahakali municipality and Naugad rural municipality. The army helicopter had also transported relief materials for the survivors in both the local level. Relief was distributed to the needy people in coordination with local level and Nepal Red Cross Society. 100 families affected Flood and landslide have affected around 100 households of two local level in Darchula. According to the District Police Office, Darchula, flood and disaster have completely damaged 42 houses and partially damaged nine houses and put 40 houses at high risk. Police personnel were mobilized to collect the details of loss and damage. As informed, the disaster caused big loss to Mahakali municipality, particularly in its ward 1, 2, 3 and 4. Likewise, landslide caused damage to the households of ward 1 of Naugad rural municipality. “The rivulet saw increasing water level since 11.00 pm in the night”, said Mangal Singh Thagunna, a local. He added that flood started eroding soil since 1.00 am next day. The swollen Lasku rivulet had taken away the settlements along the river banks, he shared. The Mahakali river was also swollen up with the rise in the water level in Lasku rivulet. The Mahakali River had also entered into embankment constructed by the Mahakali River Control Project with the increasing water current. Thagunna said the flood-fed river was sweeping away the human settlement. Duhun-Khalanga out of contact The flood occurred in the Mahakali and Lasku had also disrupted the road connecting Khalanga and Duhun Byas. The road from Ringat Lake to Kalaunbhir along the Darchula-Tingkar road section was obstructed. With the flood taking away the road linking Duhun rural municipality and Mahakali river, the people’s mobility has become tougher in the areas. The Darchula-Tinker road which was constructed along the Mahakali embankment was completely damaged. The flood and landslide took away motor-able and suspension bridges constructed over Lasku rivulet. Two schools were broken down; equal numbers of school were partially damaged in the incident. The quarter of Darchula Multiple College at Dungari has been at risk, police informed. The Mahakali river took away nine vehicles. As many as 263 cattle of local farmers in Mahakali municipality and Naugad rural municipality died in the incident.
