SANKHUWASABHA: Seven families have been displaced after a landslide triggered by incessant rainfall struck Silichong Rural Municipality-1 in Sankhuwasabha.
According to Acting Chief of the District Police Office, Police Inspector Dhan Bahadur Rajbanshi, the landslide hit Lower Tenchhong after continuous rain since Saturday night, forcing seven households to leave their homes.
The displaced families include those of Kunti Rai (five members), Dhanpurna Rai (seven), Mangal Bahadur Rai (six), Suk Prasad Rai (four), Mira Rai (five), Dhanman Rai (three) and Arun Sangam Rai (three).
The affected families have been relocated to safer areas with the support of the rural municipality and the Sisuwa Police Post.
Police Inspector Rajbanshi said a 10-member team led by Deputy Inspector of Police Anil Bhujel was deployed from the District Police Office on Monday morning to assess the situation. Authorities are continuing to collect details on the extent of the damage.
Silichong Rural Municipality has urged residents living in landslide-prone areas to remain alert and move to safer locations if necessary.
The heavy rainfall has also disrupted electricity, communication and transportation services across the rural municipality.
Rural Municipality Chairperson Bhupal Raj Mewahang said teaching and learning activities have come to a complete halt after two schools were damaged by floods in the Sisuwa Khola.
Meanwhile, floods have blocked the road leading to the rural municipality headquarters, while the central electricity supply, micro-hydropower plants, internet and communication services have been disrupted, affecting the delivery of government services, he said.
According to Mewahang, landslides have blocked all roads and foot trails within the rural municipality. Two local micro-hydropower projects have been completely destroyed, while around 70 percent of communication services have been disrupted.
Kalika Secondary School in Newatar, Silichong-1, sustained extensive damage after a landslide from above the settlement tore apart 15 classrooms and destroyed educational materials.
Bageshwori Basic School in Silichong-4 was also damaged, forcing the suspension of classes. Mewahang said the school would need to be relocated as the area remains highly vulnerable to further landslides.
The rural municipality has requested immediate support from the Koshi Province and federal governments for damage assessment, relocation of affected families, relief distribution and rehabilitation.
According to Mewahang, dozens of settlements in Tenchhong, Hoyengla, Chepchewa, Newatar, Yangsim and Gogane remain at high risk of landslides.
Many residents have already left their homes and taken shelter in safer locations. The rural municipality said elected representatives, ward offices and security agencies are jointly monitoring the affected areas, although continuous rainfall and blocked roads have made rescue and relief operations difficult.
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