Ground Cracks Put 18 Houses at High Risk of Landslides in Baitadi

Baitadi: Eighteen houses in Dilashaini Rural Municipality-1, Barabke, Baitadi, are at high risk of landslides after the ground above the settlement began to collapse due to cracks.

Fear of landslides has increased among locals after a large crack appeared in fields and land about 500 meters above the settlement. Locals said the risk of further landslides has increased due to continuous rainfall over the past few days.

According to local resident Laxman Jagari, residents of the settlement are panicking because of the rainfall. Ward Chairman Krishna Kumar Dhami also said cracks have appeared in the ground above the settlement, increasing the risk.

A team comprising police personnel, public representatives and employees inspected the site on Sunday to assess the risk. Ward Chairman Dhami said preparations are being made to immediately relocate the families at risk to a safe place.

The houses of Gore Dutta Bhatta, Krishna Dutta Bhatta, Mahavir Dhami, Doora Dhami, Jasidatta Bhatta, Manidara Bhatta, Laxman Jagri, Pratap Jagri, Akbar Jagri, Nawaraj Bhatta, Dhaule Khatri, Kamal Khatri, Jase Khatri, Kaile Khatri, Prakash Dhami, Dhan Bahadur Khatri, Ishwor Dutta Bhatta and Dharmaraj Bhatta are at risk of landslides.

Dilashaini Rural Municipality Chairman Santosh Joshi said families at risk have been urged to stay at relatives’ houses or other safe places. Local residents have also been urged to remain on high alert, as the risk may increase with further rainfall due to the cracks in the ground.