The fires that erupted in Chanaute and Surkha of Madhyabindu Municipality-14 have impacted 12 households and cattle sheds. Additionally, four houses were completely damaged.The fire started in the residential area on April 22 around 2:00 pm and was brought under control by around 8:00 pm through the joint efforts of locals, police, Nepali Army, and others.
Nawalsingh Dhega, one of the victims, expressed that his family had to live at their neighbor’s after the fire damaged their house. He added that although there were no human casualties, the fire caused material damage. He said that he is worried about all their food and shelter being destroyed.
The Madhyabindu Municipality has provided various relief materials to the victims. Similarly, Mayor Bhimalal Adhikari visited the site on 24 April where he met with the victims and assured them that the Municipality will rebuild the houses destroyed in the fire. Adhikari also distributed educational materials to the children of the affected families and provided one blanket to each family. Additionally, engineer Bivek Pokharel and the municipality team conducted measurements for the construction of new houses. Similarly, organizations such as the Red Cross have provided the affected families with Tarpaulin, clothes and groceries.
The fire reportedly took place in Nawalpur due to lack of rain for a long time. Recently, fires also occurred in Kawasoti and Bulingtar. Kamal Pariyar, Information Officer of the District Police Office reported that the fire did not cause human casualties but materialistic damage.
About 2,553 hectares of forest area in Nawalpur were affected by the fire. Basanta Keshav Adhikari, Chief of the Division Forest Office, stated that the forest areas of Madhyabindu Municipality and Binayi Triveni Rural Municipality were particularly impacted by the fire, which began in mid-March.