Landslides and flash floods displace 19 families in Nepal's Jajarkot

Continuous rainfall has triggered flash floods and landslides in Nalgad Municipality-13, Jajarkot, Nepal, affecting 19 families and putting several settlements at risk. The incessant downpour has caused the ground to crack, sink, and erode in areas like Fumda and Khatigurtal, leading to damage to homes and agricultural fields.

Preliminary reports from the ward office indicate that some houses and sheds have been completely destroyed, while others, even those without visible damage, are precarious due to unstable ground. Crops, including maize, have also been damaged as floodwaters inundated farmlands. Locals have observed increasing ground erosion in multiple settlements, fueling fear and making some areas increasingly uninhabitable.

In response to the escalating danger, some families have evacuated their homes, seeking shelter with neighbors. Even those whose homes remain standing are hesitant to stay due to the ongoing risks. Residents are urgently calling for immediate inspection of vulnerable settlements and the relocation of affected families to safer ground. They also demand essential relief and food supplies.

The damage extends to critical infrastructure, with drinking water pipelines reportedly damaged in various locations, leading to emerging water supply problems. Locals noted that minor damage had occurred previously during road and trail construction in fiscal year 2082/83 BS, weakening areas that are now more susceptible to landslides and floods due to the continuous rainfall. The community is pressing authorities for a comprehensive damage assessment and prompt provision of relief.