Floods, landslips continue as monsoon rages

Jul 19, 2016- Floods and landslides continue to wreak havoc as monsoon rages across the country.

Rockfall at Darechok along Prithvi Highway damaged five vehicles in Chitwan district on Monday morning. Four parked trucks and a moving bus were damaged by falling rocks. Police said at least one person was injured.

Continuous rainfall inundated many homes in Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolis of Banke. Homes and streets in places like Belsapur, Shantinagar, Ganeshpur, Gharbaritol, Dhambojhi, Buspark Road and Phultekra were flooded.

In Tikapur of Kailali, two houses were destroyed by a flood. Heavy rainfall since Sunday night has also raised flooding fears in other parts of Tikapur and adjoining villages, police said.

As many as 10 families were forced to flee their homes because of flood danger at Johan VDC-2 in Gulmi. The raging Ulli River has spilled over its banks and edging close to the settlement, according to the locals.

A couple was injured when a landslide destroyed their home at Rampur Municipality in Palpa. They were rescued and taken to Palpa Mission Hospital for treatment. Police said about a dozen settlements in the district are at landslide risk.

Police in Taplejung rescued seven families who were trapped because of landslides at Lamatar, Jaubari and Hekkuleka since Sunday. They were stranded after the landslides blocked all the exits. 

A flood in Ghunsa River, meanwhile, swept away a suspension bridge and damaged the foot trails of Kanchanjunga Conservation Area in the district.

In Ramechhap, traffic along the Khimti-Betali road was obstructed because of a massive landslide in Bhitari area.

After the rain-swollen Mahakali River damaged the embankment at Bhimdutta Municipality in Kanchanpur, the local authorities have started emergency repair works to prevent the floodwaters from entering the nearby settlements.   

Bilananda Yadav, chief of the District Water Induced Disaster Office, said though the water level in Mahakali has reduced significantly, flooding danger remains as the embankment has been undermined.