26 districts affected, 117 die in post-monsoon disaster

KATHMANDU: A total of 26 districts have been badly affected by the post-monsoon disasters triggered by the torrential rains which claimed the lives of 117 people so far. The post-monsoon rainfall caused by the collective effect of the wind from Bay of Bengal and westerly wind caused flood, landslide and inundations in 26 districts.

Province-1 received worst effect of the disaster. It recorded maximum number of casualties while Sudurpachim Province followed. In the first two days- last Sunday and Monday-, Sudurpaschim Province recorded huge loss of lives and properties, which later shifted to Province-1. Comparatively, other provinces received less effect. The data shared by the Home Ministry on Sunday recorded the death of 117 people in the post-monsoon disaster. Chief of Disaster Management Division at Home Ministry, Humkala Pande, shared this information.

In the recent 24 hours, five bodies of those missing were recovered, while 32 others are still missing. Of the killed ones, 56 are males, 35 women and 25 children. Similarly, among the disappeared ones, 13 are male, 7 women and 12 children. Moreover, 44 persons have been injured in the flood and landslides and some of them returned home after treatment, Pande added.

The Home Ministry further stated that 118 houses were destroyed and 30 houses received partial damage. Climate change expert Dr. Ngamindra Dahal observed that such torrential rains caused after monsoon could be linked to climate change. The government information further recorded the damage in eight national highways. Six highways damaged by the disaster are yet to come into full operation.

In the road infrastructures alone, the damage of Rs 1.5 billion has been estimated. Details on the loss caused on paddy crops are awaited. The government has already decided to provide treatment free of cost to the injured ones and relief assistance to the households suffering human loss.

Categorically, Province-1 alone recorded the death of 67 persons while seven are stilling missing. Panchthar district alone had death of 30 persons in landslide and floods. Province-2, and Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini Provinces got comparatively less damages.

Five districts were badly affected in Karnali Province where eight lost lives, four were injured and one went missing. Far west or the Sudurpaschim Province is second in rank to suffer most by the post-monsoon disaster. A total of 37 people lost lives and 22 went missing in this province. Seventeen people were injured in the landslide and flood. Doti recorded 16 deaths and Bajhang 12 in Sudurpaschim Province.