Kathmandu. So far, 46 people have lost their lives due to incessant rains, floods and landslides.

Six people have gone missing and 24 have been injured in monsoon-induced disasters across the country, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA). According to the Armed Police Force, 55 people have lost their lives in monsoon-related disasters and road accidents so far.

At least 37 people have been killed in landslides in Ilam of Koshi Province alone. Landslides and inundation have caused human casualties in Ilam, Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari, Udayapur among other districts. Meanwhile, 18 people have been rescued by a Nepal Army helicopter.

According to Armed Police Force Assistant Spokesperson and Deputy Superintendent of Police Shailendra Thapa, 49 people were killed, one went missing and 17 were injured in 22 separate road accidents in Koshi Province alone. Jhapa Rural Municipality in Jhapa district of Jhapa district of the district, out of which 1,664 people were inundated and shifted to secured sites. As many as 105 houses in Gaurigunj of Jhapa district were rescued after water entered them.

Normal life in Kosi Province

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Normal life is gradually returning to normal in Koshi Province, which has suffered the maximum loss of human lives due to incessant rains, floods and landslides. A joint team of Nepal Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force had carried out rescue and relief operations in the province. The government’s preparedness based on the prior information of the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology was effective and no more human casualties occurred.

Chiefs of the security bodies said that the rescue operation has been completed so far due to the stoppage of water, according to the chiefs of the security agencies. Those stranded in Ireland of Jhapa and pregnant women from Panchthar and Sankhuwasabha have been rescued by helicopter. The water flow in the river fell to 2.77 million cusecs today from 533,000 cusecs on Sunday.

Major General of Nepal Army Gaurav Kumar KC said normal life has resumed with the cessation of rainfall, and rescue operations are underway in the affected areas as per the need.

“The landslide in the remote area of Ilam and away from the district headquarters caused more human casualties. There has been more human loss in Ilam as well”, Major General KC said, adding, “The water level in the Saptakoshi River has receded.” The Mechi highway has been completely closed due to landslides at several places. Information sharing and rescue operations have been facilitated as joint security teams work in many places from the same command place. ’

Similarly, Nepal Police Koshi Province Chief and Deputy Inspector General of Police, Ishwor Karki, said life of the people was moving towards normalcy. He said the injured were rescued from Ilam by helicopter today and now the work now is focused on reopening the roads remaining as the lifeline of Ilam. He said police have been focused on reopening the landslide-affected roads in other districts of the province as well. No human casualties have been reported in the area. Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Karki said that the relief distribution is being carried out from the concerned District Administration Office as per the law.

APF Koshi Province Chief Deputy Inspector General Kumar Neupane said rescue works are underway for the rehabilitation of the victims. He said that they were moving ahead simultaneously carrying out rescue and rehabilitation works at a time when APF units were also affected.

“Many houses have been destroyed by the landslide in Ilam. The government may formulate a policy for reconstruction. The danger signal has been removed as the water level of Saptakoshi has receded. We are committed to normalizing people’s lives,” he said.

Central team could not go due to road blockage

A central team led by Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal could not go to Ilam for onsite inspection today as seven roads have been obstructed due to floods and landslides in Ilam. Deputy Inspector General of APF Neupane said although a central APF team was scheduled to arrive, it was not possible due to road obstruction.

“The only option now is to face the disaster together and be patient. We, under the Joint Security Command, are involved in the post-disaster rescue and assistance of Koshi Province. It also requires cooperation with the citizens,” he said.