Jajarkot, August 18
Nineteen families have been affected by flash floods and landslides triggered by incessant rainfall in Nalgad Municipality-13, Jajarkot. With continuous rainfall causing the ground to crack, sink and erode at various locations in the ward, several settlements are at risk.
According to preliminary details collected by the ward office, 19 families in areas including Fumda and Khatigurtal have been affected. Some houses and sheds have been completely damaged, while even houses without visible damage are at risk as the ground beneath them has become unstable, according to locals.
Preliminary details show that the house of Bhade Damai in Fumda has been completely damaged. The houses and sheds of Datte Damai, Chandraprakash Singh, Khimbahadur Gurung, Nabin Singh, Bhaktabahadur Singh, Prembahadur Singh, Chandrabahadur Damai, Raju Budha, Dhanraj Shahi, Dilli Budha, Lile Damai, Kalibahadur Shahi, Binod Shahi, Manbahadur Malla, Saroj Malla, Gopal Shahi and Rambahadur Shahi have either been damaged or are at risk. Karne Damai’s house has also been damaged.
The toilets of Chandrabahadur Damai, Raju Budha and Lile Damai have been completely damaged. The sheds of Gopal Shahi and Rambahadur Shahi have been damaged, while their houses are also at high risk, according to the ward office.
Damage to monsoon crops as well
The flash floods have damaged not only houses and settlements but also farmland and monsoon crops. Locals said crops including maize have been damaged after floodwater entered agricultural fields.
Locals said the ground has also been increasingly cracking, sinking and eroding in areas including Fumda, Dharachaur, Majhabara, Chaulapani, Kolpella, Puderi Gaira, Panikhala, Shantibe, Tharigaun and Hale settlements. Fear has grown among residents as some settlements are becoming increasingly uninhabitable.
As the ground continues to erode, some families have left their homes and taken shelter in neighbours’ houses. Even families whose homes have not been directly damaged have been forced to remain there despite the risks.
Concerned that further damage could occur as the rain continues, locals have demanded immediate inspection of vulnerable settlements and relocation of residents to safer areas. They have also urged authorities to provide relief and essential food supplies to affected families.
Flash floods and landslides have also damaged drinking water pipelines at various locations. Locals said water supply problems have begun to emerge in some areas after the pipelines were damaged.
According to locals, minor damage had occurred at various locations during road and trail construction in fiscal year 2082/83 BS, when soil and rocks fell from higher ground. With continuous rainfall, the risk of landslides and flash floods has now increased in those already weakened areas.
Locals have demanded that families at risk be immediately relocated to safe areas, a detailed assessment of the damage be carried out, and essential relief supplies, including drinking water and food, be provided.
