For the past four months, people in Limmi, Namkha Rural Municipality-6, have been living under tarpaulin tents. A landslide caused by a major flood on May 15, 2025, destroyed much of Til and forced families to leave their homes. When a landslide and flooding struck from the upper part of the settlement, 33 people from 19 households were displaced and now live under tents on school grounds. Additional flooding in a nearby stream increased their alarm. The disaster damaged both infrastructure and cultivable land. The landslide also destroyed a 15-kilowatt hydropower project near the settlement, leaving the community in darkness for four months as repairs stall. With the drinking water system gone, Til residents must rely on contaminated river water, risking their health daily, complained local resident Kanjok Phurba Lama.
Risk of Food Crisis
Til is in the highest part of Humla, so only barley can be grown there. The flood destroyed the barley harvest just before it could be collected. With their main food crop gone, people now fear famine, said Paljor Tamang, Chairperson of Ward No. 6. He explained that all the barley is lost. Most young adults have left for work in China, leaving mainly elderly people and children in the village. Without timely help, they face a serious risk of famine.
Problems with Transportation
The flood and landslide on May 15, 2025, destroyed the village bridge, making it hard to bring in health services. Locals now struggle to get medicine, vaccines, and other care. Since the bridge was lost, health workers and locals have had to take risks to deliver medical supplies.
Urgent Need for Relief
After the landslide created gaps and damage in Til, locals are awaiting relief. The barley crop, which usually lasts until October to December, would have fed them through the year. With the entire harvest destroyed, people worry about how to feed their families. Although the Red Cross, a commercial bank, and Namkha Rural Municipality have provided some aid, they have not received help from other agencies. They are now urging the local, provincial, and federal governments to provide immediate relief. So far, no significant initiative has been taken to deliver aid, said Ward Chairperson PaljorTamang. He added that he has informed the relevant agencies about the damage and has initiated relief and rescue efforts.