Two killed, three injured in Panchthar landslides

PANCHTHAR: Two people lost their lives and three others were injured in landslides triggered by continuous rainfall in Panchthar district.

According to the District Police Office, 79-year-old Kanchhimaya Serma of Tumbewa Rural Municipality-4, Olane, died after being buried by a landslide that struck her house.

In a separate incident, 17-year-old Misek Nembang, son of Thali Bahadur Nembang of the same locality, died after being swept away by the Nibu River while attempting to recover a woman’s body in Triveni Dobhan, Falgunanda Rural Municipality-3.

Three others were injured in landslide-related incidents across the district. Manmaya Karki, 37, of Solumba, Miklajung Rural Municipality-3, sustained injuries after being hit by a landslide near her house. Similarly, 72-year-old Sukmaya Angdembe of Alubari, Falgunanda Rural Municipality-1, was injured when a landslide-damaged wall collapsed on her.

Dhan Bahadur Chemjong of Jaubari, Falgunanda Rural Municipality-5, was also injured in a separate landslide, said Police Inspector Rupesh Tamang, the District Police Office’s Information Officer.

Due to damage caused by heavy rains, most roads in the area remain impassable, preventing the injured from reaching well-equipped hospitals.

Meanwhile, government agencies have begun repair and clearance operations to reopen key roads, including the Mechi Highway, Tamor Corridor, Pushpalal (Mid-Hill) Highway, and the Phidim-Falot road.