Devastating Floods in Mustang: 10 Houses, Police Post, and Bridge Swept Away

Tragedy struck the Baragung Muktichhetra rural municipality-4 in Kagbeni, Mustang, on Sunday evening as floods wreaked havoc, washing away 10 houses, a police post, and a vital bridge. The incident unfolded along the banks of the Kag rivulet, which breached its confines, inundating the human settlement at Kagbeni, a renowned religious site, at approximately 8:00 pm yesterday. The onslaught resulted in significant damage to crucial infrastructures.

Rinjin Gurung, the Chairperson of Muktichhetra rural municipality, revealed the extent of the disaster, citing that the flooding not only claimed 10 houses and hotels but also ravaged a police post, an under-construction motorable bridge on the Jomsom-Korala road, a trail bridge, two vehicles, and three electricity poles. “Swift evacuation measures prevented any loss of life as residents were informed about the imminent danger in time. The flood surge occurred following an obstruction in the Tiri rivulet located above Kagbeni,” Gurung explained. He further lamented the submergence of the Kagbeni rest house, emphasizing that the flood had thrown the human settlement into disarray.

Anup KC, the Chief District Officer, detailed the ongoing response efforts, with the Nepal Army, Armed Police Force, and Nepal Police collaborating alongside local representatives to execute a coordinated rescue operation. The flooding has also adversely impacted travel, complicating access to Kagbeni via the Jomsom route. Consequently, the road leading to Upper Mustang through Kagbeni is currently impassable.

Adding to the catastrophe, incessant rainfall has pounded Mustang for the past several days, exacerbating the situation. Water levels in various other rivulets across the Mustang region have surged due to the unrelenting downpour.

The authorities continue to work tirelessly to mitigate the aftermath of the floods, focusing on rescue and recovery operations as they strive to restore normalcy to the affected area.

Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS)