Floods sweep away five houses in Humla

BY OUR CORRESPONDENT,Humla, Aug. 18: Five houses were swept away and several others were severely damaged by flash floods and landslides triggered by continuous rainfall in Ghatwana village of Tajakot Rural Municipality-1.

According to Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Bishnu Bahadur Shrestha of the District Police Office, the disaster struck following incessant rainfall since early Saturday morning. The floods, carrying heavy mud and debris, destroyed five houses completely and caused significant damage to seven others in the area.

A team led by Assistant Sub-Inspector Padam Bahadur Karki from the Maila Police Post reached the site for preliminary assessment. However, due to ongoing rainfall, a full damage report has not yet been prepared.

"The floods swept away five homes with no trace left behind, and the remaining houses have become uninhabitable," DSP Shrestha said. Fortunately, no human casualties were reported, as the affected houses were primarily used for livestock shelter during winter.

Along with the houses, the flood also washed away farmland and crops, causing losses worth millions of rupees. Victim Manbir Rithal said that the paddy fields near the riverbanks, along with arable land, were submerged and destroyed.

The houses of Manbir Rithal, Dhaula Rithal, Dhanlal Rithal, Bathe Rithal, and Narjit Rithal were completely swept away, while the homes of Raj Bahadur Rithal, Dal Bir Rithal, Bir Singh Rithal, Mane Rithal, Man Singh Rithal, Ran Bahadur Rithal, and Tilak Khatri suffered severe structural damage.

The sudden disaster also destroyed personal belongings including clothes, utensils, food grains, and other valuables. Additionally, a 100-metre-long irrigation canal used for farming was also washed away.

While there has been no loss of human life, the destruction of houses, farmland, and essential infrastructure has left the affected families in urgent need of relief and support.