Dhangadi, August 11

Landslides caused by heavy rainfall claimed 10 lives at several places across the country last night — six in Doti, three in Gulmi and one in Dolakha.

According to Superintendent of Police Him Bahadur Lama of Doti District Police Office, five members of a family were among the six persons who were killed in Daud village due to landslide occurrences.

Gauradevi Bista, 35, and her children — Harka, 12; Saru, 8; Birendra, 5, and eight months old Bhawana — died on the spot in a landslide that swept away her house in Bhalma Bahunsain, Daud. Three other houses were washed away in Bhalma Bahunsain. Gauradevi’s husband Dambar Bahadur was injured in the incident.

Champadevi Singh, 75, died when landslide buried her house in Daudgaun, Daud.

Rainfall has hampered the rescue. Though a rescue team has been dispatched from the district headquarters it is yet to gain access to the site, said Daud Police Post In-charge Assistant Sub-inspector Nawaraj Awasthi.

In Gulmi, three members of a family died after landslide swept the house of Khadka Bahadur Sarki, who works in Saudi Arabia, in Dibrung.

Khadka Bahadur’s wife Usha, 40, her son Gagan, 10, and daughter Indu, 3, were killed. Khadak Bahadur’s two other daughters were rescued by the villagers.

In Dolakha, Riju Giri, 14, of Dandakharka, was killed, while four persons were injured when rain-triggered landslides swept away four houses.

Dolakha stretch of Pushpalal Highway has been obstructed after the swollen Charangekhola River swept away temporary diversion in the river.

Floods have also washed away the bridge over the Miltikhola River on the highway.