The District Disaster Management Committee has made a decision to recommend the Ministry of Home Affairs to provide relief assistance to the families affected by the floods and subsequent disappearances.
Shivkumar Karki, the Chairperson of the District Disaster Management Committee and Chief District Officer, stated that during a committee meeting, it was agreed to propose to the Ministry of Home Affairs the allocation of relief funds for the families of those who went missing in the flood and landslides.
According to the District Disaster Management Committee, a total of 20 individuals have been reported missing following flash floods caused by heavy rainfall on June 17, 2023. The police have recently discovered the body of one of the missing persons after a month-long search operation.
The flood has resulted in the disappearance of twenty people from various locations within the district. The police have utilized diverse search methods, including the use of machinery, equipment, and trained police dogs, to locate the missing individuals. Chief District Officer Shivkumar Karki mentioned that it was decided to recommend to the government the provision of relief assistance to the families of the deceased, considering the extensive efforts made in excavation and search operations at the sites affected by the flood.
Chairperson Shivkumar Karki of the Disaster Management Committee further added that since no traces of the missing individuals have been found despite the continuous search efforts, a finalized list of the victims will be sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs to initiate relief measures.
Chief District Officer Karki explained that due to the unknown status of the missing individuals as of July 18, despite extensive search and rescue operations, it was deemed necessary to propose relief assistance from the Ministry of Home Affairs, assuming their demise.
Among the twenty missing individuals, sixteen are from Super Hewakhola Hydropower, one is from Upper Hewakhola Hydropower Project, one is from Amar Construction (a road construction company), and two are from Sabhapokhari Rural Municipality-3 Sunamla. The recommendation has been made to provide relief assistance to the families of all the missing individuals.
The district has witnessed displacement of 29 families due to floods and landslides. Among them, 14 houses have been completely destroyed, while 15 houses have suffered partial damage, according to the records of the Disaster Management Committee.
The flood has caused significant financial losses, amounting to hundreds of millions of rupees, due to the destruction of physical infrastructure. Additionally, 28 vital structures including bridges and canals have been damaged across the district. According to the Disaster Management Committee, major projects have reported damage to 13 roads, concrete bridges, and suspension bridges.
The collapse of the concrete bridge of Hewa river has led to the suspension of transportation between Panchkhapan and Chainpur, causing difficulties in transporting patients via ambulances.