Landslides in Panchthar put 26 houses at high risk after rainfall

Panchthar – Landslides in various locations of Yangwarak Rural Municipality-1, Chyangthapu, have affected six settlements. Following unseasonal rainfall, landslides on Jestha 8 put 26 houses at high risk.

According to Ward Chair Rajendra Khaling Rai, six wards of the former Chyangthapu VDC have been affected by the landslides. The settlements of Thingepur Kopche, Biruwa, Perunge, Chamlingdanda, Ekrate, Kholaghari, and Sundarpur have been impacted. Khaling informed that 26 houses are at high risk, with around 70 houses facing potential danger.

The landslide swept away the houses of Mahamlal Khawas and Kabiraman Khawas in Chamlingdanda, as well as Gangaram Begah’s house in Kopche. Although other houses were not swept away, they remain in a precarious state, according to Khaling.

“Some houses have landslides above them, while others have them below,” he said. “Whenever it rains, everyone is in a state of panic, and there is a need to flee to safer locations. Although there has been no human casualty, livestock have been swept away, and damage has occurred to arable land and cardamom plantations.”

Three years ago, Chyangthapu also experienced landslides following heavy rainfall. On Ashadh 3, 2080, floods occurred in the Mewakhola and other streams, causing landslides in many areas.

At that time, settlements like Chok, Kholaghari, and Ekrate were affected, but the recent rainfall and landslides have been more severe. Ward Chair Khaling stated, “Just as the landslides devastated the area three years ago, a similar situation has arisen now. Nature continues to inflict pain upon us.”

Former district coordination committee member Narbahadur Gurung describes a state of fear in the landslide-affected areas. “Whenever clouds gather, people are forced to flee even during the day. Landslides are occurring everywhere, and the floods have swept away all structures along the riverbanks,” he said.

Gurung reported that eight irrigation projects, three drinking water projects, and three suspension bridges have been damaged by the floods and landslides. The Poushpalal (Mid-Hill) Highway’s Chyangthapu section, Faklung-Falot road, Chyangthapu-Samarjung road, and Chyangthapu-Lampokhari road have suffered significant damage. The obstruction of the Chyangthapu-Lampokhari road has made it impossible to transport supplies to the Armed Police Force’s border outpost in Sukadhap.

With roads blocked, more than 50 students are facing difficulties attending school, and regular check-ups for pregnant women have been affected. As the reconstruction of structures damaged by the floods and landslides three years ago remains incomplete, stakeholders are demanding that the area be declared a disaster zone.

According to Yangwarak Rural Municipality Vice-Chair Baba Menyangbo, Wards 1, 2, and 3 have suffered extensive damage from the floods and landslides, while Wards 4 and 5 have experienced partial damage. Ward offices are still collecting details of the damage.

Following the floods and landslides, the Poushpalal (Mid-Hill) Highway’s Oyam-Chyangthapu-Chiwabhanjyang section, which connects all wards of the rural municipality, remains blocked. Efforts have begun to clear the highway from Oyam. “We have established contact up to Falamkhola in Ward 3 by clearing the road. Work is ongoing,” Vice-Chair Menyangbo said.

Due to the road blockage, reaching Chyangthapu and Falaicha is not possible, and relief distribution has been hindered. “We cannot go beyond Oyam. We have instructed local representatives to collect damage details and carry out related tasks,” Menyangbo stated.