Death toll from landslides in Myagdi reaches six; three missing
MYAGDI:- The death toll from landslides in Myagdi has reached six, while three people remain missing. Bodies have been recovered—four in Annapurna Rural Municipality and two in Malika Rural Municipality.
Myagdi Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Rajan Karki stated that one person is missing in Beni Municipality and two in Annapurna Rural Municipality. He reported that the bodies of 75-year-old Siukumari Garbuja, 56-year-old Domaya Garbuja, and five-year-old Jenny Pun—all from Giwang in Annapurna Rural Municipality-5—were recovered after being buried by a landslide.
According to DSP Karki, Kiran Pun and Dev Bahadur Pun died after being buried by a landslide in Aula, Malika Rural Municipality-3.
Kulprasad Acharya, the Assistant Chief District Officer of Myagdi, stated that the body of 19-year-old Sabin Chochangi from Kafaldada, Annapurna Rural Municipality-8, has been recovered, while 22-year-old Manoj Garbuja remains missing.
According to him, 36-year-old Kumari Wali BK from Chhepare, Bhakimli (Beni Municipality-3), and Yumaya Paija from Phagam, Annapurna Rural Municipality-3, are also missing after being caught in the landslide.
Chief District Officer Ganesh Gaire stated that 78 residents of Paudwar in Annapurna Rural Municipality-5, who were at risk from landslides, have been airlifted by a Nepal Army helicopter to Shikhghar, where arrangements for their safe shelter have been made. Provisions for relief materials have also been organized at the temporary camp. CDO Gaire explained that delays in receiving information from the site, the arrival of security personnel, and efforts regarding rescue and the search for the missing occurred due to the area’s remote and rugged terrain, as well as disruptions to electricity, communication, and road networks.
Four days of continuous rainfall have caused floods and landslides, disrupting electricity, road, and communication services in Myagdi. The Beni-Jomsom, Beni-Darwang, Beni-Pakhapani, and Beni-Baglung roads have been blocked. Transport links connecting Myagdi, Baglung, and Mustang to cities like Pokhara and Kathmandu have been severed due to the washout of the road bridge’s approach road over the Kali Gandaki River at Maldhunga in Parbat and road erosion at Sahasradhara.
Chief District Officer Gaire stated that the rain had stopped this afternoon and flood levels in the rivers had receded, adding that efforts are underway to restore road, electricity, and communication services.
