Floods and landslides in Panchthar displace four families, disrupt daily life

Floods and landslides triggered by continuous rainfall in Yangwarak Rural Municipality, Panchthar, have disrupted daily life. Landslides have completely displaced four families from Yangwarak-1. According to Deputy Superintendent of Police Anish Kumar Karn at the District Police Office, the families of Mohanlal Khawas, Kabir Khawas, and Gangaprasad Begah have been displaced after their homes were swept away by landslides.

Similarly, the family of Bhigiman Begah has moved to a safer location as their house is at high risk of landslides. The displaced families are currently taking shelter in the homes of relatives.

The floods and landslides have instilled further fear among the residents of various parts of Yangwarak. Approximately two dozen houses in Kopchetol, Chamlingdanda, Ekrate Tol, and Kholaghari Magardanda are at high risk.

Due to the natural disaster, the suspension bridges at Lamitar-Chamlingdanda and Dobhane in different parts of Yangwarak have been damaged. The floods have also caused significant damage to road infrastructure. The under-construction 41-foot-long road bridge, road, and diversion at Mewa Khola in Yangwarak-2 Dobhane along the Pushpalal (Mid-Hill) Highway have been swept away, completely halting transportation. Similarly, the structures and construction materials of the under-construction Limbuni Bridge along the Tamor Corridor have also been washed away by the floods.

Landslides have blocked the road section at Oyam Bazaar and Rijal Bhir along the Mid-Hill Highway, bringing traffic to a standstill.

This disaster has also caused severe damage to hydropower projects and the agricultural sector. The Mewa Khola Hydropower Project, the dam of the Inwa Khola Hydropower Project, and the structures of the Arun Kabeli Hydropower Project have been damaged.

Additionally, the floods have caused significant losses to the cardamom plantations and arable land of locals in Sigewa, Yangwarak-4. Furthermore, various local drinking water and irrigation projects have also suffered damage due to the floods and landslides, according to police reports.