18 dead, several missing in devastating floods and landslides in eastern Nepal

Biratnagar: Eighteen people have died due to floods and landslides in Ilam.

According to SSP Deepak Pokhrel, spokesperson for the Provincial Police Office in Biratnagar, five people died in Ward No. 1 Mane Bhanjyang of Suryodaya Municipality, three in Ward No. 1 Pati Gaun of Maansebung Rural Municipality, one in Ward No. 5 Dhare of Deumai Municipality, two in Ward No. 5 Dhusrune of Deumai, one in Ward No. 3 Ratamate of Phakfokthum Rural Municipality, and six in Ward No. 5 Ghosgaun of Ilam Municipality.

Police have stated that six members of a single family died when the house of Dambar Bahadur Pakhrin in Ghos of Ilam Municipality Ward No. 6 was buried by a landslide.

According to the police, preliminary reports indicate that houses have been buried in places including Manebhanjyang, Deumai, and Ilam Municipality, among others. However, due to the difficult terrain, police are facing challenges in reaching the areas and collecting data.

Similarly, five members of Bermalal Sogmi’s family in Ward No. 6 of Mai Jogmai Rural Municipality are missing due to a landslide.

Likewise, two members of Kumar Sedhai’s family in Ward No. 3 Sulubung of Sandakpur Rural Municipality are missing. Police have also reported that five people are missing due to a landslide in Maansebung.

Spokesperson Pokhrel stated that while there has been significant human loss in Ilam, the actual figures have not yet been fully received.

In a related incident, a woman has gone missing after a flood in Kajwe, Lal Bajar, Ward No. 4 of Belka Municipality in Udayapur, swept away a passenger microbus.

District Police Office Udayapur DSP Kedarman Dong provided information that the microbus, traveling from Rangeli in Morang to Kathmandu, was returning due to a road closure when it was carried away by the flood.

In the incident, which occurred at midnight, 22 passengers including the driver were on board. The identity of the approximately 45-year-old woman who went missing has not yet been established.

Other passengers on the bus are safe, while one injured person is receiving treatment at a local hospital, according to police.

Number of deaths due to landslides in various places in Ilam:

1. Suryodaya Municipality Ward No. 1 Manebhanjyang: 5 deaths.
2. Maansebung Rural Municipality Ward No. 1 Patigaun: 3 deaths.
3. Deumai Municipality Ward No. 5 Dhare: 1 death.
4. Deumai Municipality Ward No. 5 Dhusrune: 2 deaths.
5. Phakfokthum Rural Municipality Ward No. 3 Ratamate: 1 death.
6. Ilam Municipality Ward No. 5 Ghosgaun: 6 deaths.

Total: 18 people.