GORKHA: Dry landslides have been occurring continuously in the Manaslu region of northern Gorkha since Tuesday morning, raising concerns among local residents.
Kalden Chhewang Lama, chairperson of Ward No. 5 of Chumanubri Rural Municipality, said repeated landslides have been reported in Kyrak, particularly along the route connecting Kyrak to Serang Monastery.
According to Lama, a major dry landslide has been occurring at Bumrang, about a 30-minute walk from Kyrak along the trail to Serang Monastery.
“A massive dry landslide has been occurring at Bumrang on the route from Kyrak to Serang. Around 11 am on Tuesday, white dust and smoke-like clouds began rising as the landslide occurred. We went to inspect the site at around 1 pm and were shocked by what we saw. The landslide occurred again last night, and it is still continuing. We wanted to visit the site again, but could not because of the ongoing activity,” Lama said.
He estimated that the landslide stretches for more than 300 metres, from Sakima Danda to Serang Khola. “White clouds of dust are rising from the area, resembling smoke from a fire. The distance from the hillside to the river is around 300 metres. Since the landslide is still active, we cannot determine its full width,” he said.
The continuing landslide has disrupted the lives of around 400 people living at Serang Monastery. According to Lama, approximately 200 of them are students receiving monastic education, while the remaining include lamas, the monastery’s spiritual leader and residents of its old-age home.
“The ongoing landslide has made it difficult to transport food supplies and other essential materials to the monastery. Ensuring the regular supply of basic necessities for around 400 people has become a major concern,” he said.
Residents of the mountainous region of Gorkha are increasingly worried as dry landslides and avalanches continue to occur in the area. Expressing concern over the unusual geological activity, Lama questioned what was happening in the region’s mountains.
“Some time ago, an avalanche occurred on the eastern slope of Serang Himal, blocking the Ungilung River and triggering devastating flooding in the Budhi Gandaki River,” he said.
The recurring landslides and avalanches have heightened concerns about the safety of mountain settlements and communities in the region.
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