KATHMANDU: Continuous rainfall has triggered landslides in Silichong Rural Municipality, displacing 28 households and putting a local health post at risk.
According to the District Police Office Sankhuwasabha, the affected families are from the Upper and Lower Tenchong settlements in Ward No. 1 of the rural municipality.
Police Inspector Dhan Bahadur Rajbanshi said homes belonging to 20 families in Lower Tenchong have been displaced by the landslide. The Tenchong Community Health Post has also been placed at risk due to the unstable terrain.
In the same ward, additional families from households headed by Kunti Rai, Dhanpurna Rai, Mangal Bahadur Rai, Suk Prasad Rai, Meera Rai and Dhanman Rai have also been displaced after cracks developed in the ground above the settlement.
Residents were evacuated to safer locations with the assistance of the Nepal Police and local authorities.
A 10-member police team led by Sub-Inspector Anil Bhujel was deployed to the affected area on Monday to support rescue and assessment efforts.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Silichong Rural Municipality urged residents living in high-risk areas to remain vigilant and relocate to safer places if necessary.
Rural Municipality Chair Bhupal Raj Mewahang said the local government has appealed to both the Koshi Province government and the federal government for support in conducting damage assessments, relocating vulnerable residents, providing relief assistance and carrying out rehabilitation efforts.
The disaster has also damaged two micro-hydropower projects in Silichong, leaving more than 600 households without electricity.
According to Chair Mewahang, the 60-kilowatt Sisuwakhola Micro Hydropower Project and the 30-kilowatt Chatekma Micro Hydropower Project sustained significant damage.
Flooding in the Sisuwakhola stream also damaged two local schools, forcing the suspension of classes.
With the risk of further landslides increasing, many residents have taken shelter with relatives while authorities continue to monitor the situation.
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