KATHMANDU: A total of 78 people have so far been confirmed dead in landslides, floods and incidents of inundation triggered by recent torrential rains while 32 are reported missing.

According to the latest data provided by the Ministry of Home Affairs ( MoHA), 40 were injured in such incidents happened in the aftermath of incessant rain since July 11.

The number of displaced households is 17,420 and 3,366 people were rescued. As said by Chief of National Emergency Operation Centre (under the MoHA) Bednidhi Khanal, those people displaced by monsoon have been taking shelter in temporary camps and relief distribution works have been intensified.

Though the monsoon has become less active these days, the Meteorological Forecasting Division has predicted partial rainfall and heavy rainfall at some places till the next few days.   So far, 32 districts, out of 77, have been affected by floods, landslides and inundation. The government said the search and rescue efforts have been intensified and over 41,000 human resources of all three levels’ security bodies have been mobilized for the response.

Efforts are going on to reopen the obstructed Udaypur-Gaighat-Khotang, Khotang-Halesi-Tuwachung, Mahottari-Janakpur-Jaleshwor ( Bhapsi River diversion), Sindhuli- Mid Hill Highway, Kanti Highway ( Hetauda), Kulekhani-Phakhel-Pharping, Besi Sahar-Manang and Dhunche-Rasuwagadhi routes.

Likewise, efforts were underway to clear the debris of landslide on the road-sections as Hetauda-Dakshinkali, Bhaluwan-Pyuthan, Barakilo-Barpark and Postal Highway’s Saghara-Siraha while traffic movements had already resumed in some roads, according to   MoHA.

Rescue and relief operation expedited

Government has stepped up search, rescue and relief operation across the disaster-hit areas. As many as 12,000 tarpaulin sheets were sent to those places. Tarpaulin sheets, food items, mats, medicines and other essentials were being distributed among the disaster-survivors through the District Disaster Management Committee, local units, Red Cross Nepal, private sector and social organizations.

Similarly, 3,000 each tarpaulin sheets were sent to Siraha, Sarlahi, Rautahat and Mahottari district from the godown at Hetauda.

Ministry of Home Affairs had sent 40 sets of tarpaulin sheets to Gotikhel and Gimdi of Lalitpur district while 1,100 additional tarpaulin sheets were sent to Terai.

State   2 government has decided to provide Rs 300,000 to each family losing their family members in the disaster.

It has also decided to allocate Rs 1 million to the District Disaster Management Committee in 8 districts for rescue and relief operation, according to MoHA.