KATHMANDU: As many as 120 Yak and Chauri Gai have gone missing in an avalanche that occurred in the forest of Thasang rural municipality-2 of Mustang.

The avalanche occurred above the Manapathi Mountain that lies on the top hill of Kowang, Larjung, Boksikhola, and Naurikot. As informed the avalanche took away Yak and Chauri Gai. Ward chairperson Nar Prasad Hirachan shared the avalanche also blew away the home roof of Ratna Kumari Sherchan, a local of Naurikot.

“Some 11 teachers and students of Janaadarsha Amarsingh Secondary School of Kobang who sustained minor injuries in a stampede during avalanche have returned home after treatment in Jomsom”, he further informed.

Out of a total of 130 Yak and Chauri Gai owned by Bhim Sherchan and Sakendra Gauchan, only 22 have been found. The shepherds who took the Yak to grazing ground however have come to contact.

Chief District Officer Netra Prasad Sharma shared that only 10-12 out of 130 Yak was seen through binocular and missing Yak were presumably buried in an avalanche.

The avalanche has broken down standing trees in the forest and also caused damages to the habitat of wildlife. Even vehicular movement was disrupted along the Beni-Jomsom road section.

The snow mound that sneaked into the homes at Naurikot now has melted turning the houses into a muddy land. The snow burst has also caused damages to house roofs and grains stored in the godown.

Ward chair Hirachan said the cows, buffaloes, and sheep that were brought to the forest for grazing might have also been killed in an avalanche.

Damage is also visible in farming. A team comprising federal parliamentarian Prem Prasad Tulachan, Province Assembly member Chandra Mohan Gauchan, Mahendra Thakali, and CDO Sharma, among others had made an onsite inspection of the site.

Detailed information of loss and damage is being collected, shared by police post-in-charge Netra Jiti. It is noted the unseasoned avalanche took place due to a rise in temperature and climate change effects. RSS