KATHMANDU: The monsoon rains in Taplejung have triggered landslides, leading to a dire situation with 342 people from 81 households displaced. Chief District Officer Rabindra Prasad Acharya reported five fatalities within a week due to the landslides, with eight houses completely destroyed and 18 others facing imminent danger. Moreover, 55 houses are considered at risk across the district, and significant damage has been inflicted, including the loss of livestock, vehicles, and bridges.

Amid the crisis, 70 displaced families have sought refuge with relatives and neighbors, while 11 families have taken shelter in a nearby school. Particularly affected areas include Sirijungha, Sidingwa, Mikwakhola, and Paktanglung Rural Municipality. Tragic incidents, such as a landslide in Paktanglung-2 claiming four lives, underscore the severity of the situation, with additional casualties reported in Sirijungha.

In addition to human casualties and displacement, landslides have caused extensive damage to roads and disrupted electricity projects in rural areas. Local efforts are underway to clear blocked roads, particularly in severely affected regions like Sirijungha and Paktanglung Rural Municipality. Furthermore, the devastating impact on cash crops, especially cardamom, compounded by daily rainfall, has heightened panic among rural residents, highlighting the urgent need for support and relief efforts.