Floods, landslides claim 7 lives in Nepal; 25 still missing

The monsoon that entered the country on June 11 this year has already begun taking a toll on the people's lives and properties, in just a week.

The monsoon-induced disasters such as floods, inundation and landslides among others killed seven people, left over dozen injured while 25 have gone missing in 17 districts including Sindhupalchowk, Manang and Jajarkot recently.

The massive floods in Helambu and Melamchi areas in Sindhupalchowk district on June 11 sent a shock wave to many. Three people were confirmed dead in the flood as of now in the district. It speaks volume for lack of preparedness on the part of the concerned authority.

Last year, more than 400 people were killed due to monsoon caused disasters and over 1,000 people were affected, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Executive Committee led by the Minister of Home Affairs endorsed the Monsoon Preparedness and Response Plan-2078 BS on Wednesday.

If implemented effectively, this policy-level intervention is believed to minimize the losses incurred by monsoon-induced disasters and would make the rescue, rehabilitation and relief process more effective through coordinated efforts.

Bajura, Palpa, Doti and Kaski districts recorded one fatality each from monsoon-induced disasters for a week. Two Chinese nationals and one Nepali lost their lives in the flood in Sindhupalchowk flood. An unidentified body has been retrieved in the district, according to the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Assistant CDO of Sindhupalchowk Baburam Khanal shared that 14 people were missing in Sindhupalchowk since the floods hit Helambu and Melamchi areas. Among the missing ones, four have been found. A total of seven people have gone missing in Jajarkot district while one person was recorded missing in Bajura, Pyuthan, Arghakhanchi and Kavrepalanchowk districts.

Altogether 12 persons were injured in the natural disasters in all those affected districts. The government has declared to bear their expenses for treatment.

Floods and landslides in various parts of the country have caused complete damages to 129 houses and partial damages to 114 houses since the monsoon this year.

Those affected ones in the disaster-hit areas have been rescued and relocated to safer places, said the Ministry of Home Affairs. 

(With inputs from RSS