Panchthar landslide: Roads, suspension bridges, hydropower projects damaged

PANCHTHAR, May 23: Continuous rainfall-triggered floods and landslides last night have caused significant damage in Yangwarak Rural Municipality of Panchthar, affecting key infrastructure and settlements across multiple wards.

According to the municipality’s Vice Chair Baba Menyangbo, houses, roads, suspension bridges and hydropower projects were damaged in Wards 1, 2 and 3 of Yangwarak.

So far, two houses in Ward No. 1 and three suspension bridges across Wards 1 and 2 have been swept away by floods and landslides. No human casualties have been reported, and the rainfall has now stopped, Vice Chair Menyangbo said. The flood and landslide have caused major damage in and around Chyangthapu Bazar in Yangwarak Rural Municipality-1.

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Continuous rainfall has also completely disrupted the Oyam–Chewabhanjyang section of the Mid-Hill Highway. A landslide has occurred at Rijal Cliff in Yangwarak Rural Municipality-3, while a diversion at Confluence in Ward No. 2 has been completely washed away, bringing movement along the route to a halt.

Chief of the District Police Office, Panchthar, Deputy Superintendent of Police Anish Kumar Karki, said efforts are underway to reopen the Oyam–Chewabhanjyang section of the Pushpalal (Mid-Hill) Highway. He added that the Area Police Office, Chyangthapu, has begun collecting details of the damage, with initial reports confirming that two houses have been swept away.

Similarly, police said the truss bridge under construction over the Tamor Corridor at the border of Hilihang Rural Municipality of Panchthar and Aathrai Tribeni Rural Municipality of Taplejung has been washed away by the floods.

The Hewa, Kabeli, and Tamor rivers have swollen due to heavy rainfall, raising risks for settlements along the riverbanks, according to police.

Local resident Tej Bahadur Yongya said floods and landslides last night also caused significant damage to agricultural land around Oyam Bazaar in Yangwarak Rural Municipality-3.

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