Phidim, September 1

Landslides triggered by incessant rainfall since mid-August have obstructed several rural roads in Panchthar.

The district denizens have been facing a hard time as they have been unable to transport rural agro-products as well as daily essentials to and from their locations.

Around half dozen landslides occurred along the Jorpokhari-Kahule-Memeng road section of the district on Monday alone.

Kusum Subedi, Vice-chairman of Road Consumer’s Committee, said vehicular movement had come to a complete halt due to landslides at many places in the eastern part of Jorpokhari. “It is not possible to clear the debris along the road with the initiative of locals alone,” he said. Phidim-Yangnam-Phalaut road section has been obstructed for more than three weeks.

Vehicular movement has come to a grinding halt for want of bridge over the Pheme River, which connects Phidim and Nagin.

Chhabi Nemwang, chairman of Panchthar Pickup Entrepreneurs’ Association, said more than 35 cargo trucks and taxis were stranded due to obstruction at various places. Supply of daily essentials, including construction materials, have been halted for days along the road section, said Kishor Gautam, head teacher at Kalika Secondary School, Prangbung.

Southern Phidim-Yasok road section has also remained disconnected for almost a month due to heavy shower. Similarly, the road section that links Samdin-Chowkmagu-Nawamidanda-Ghurbise-Panchami and Ranke-Rabi road section have been obstructed due to landslips at various places.

Residents of more than two dozen VDCs of Ilam and the southern belt of Panchthar district have been badly hit.

According to statistics, of the 2,230-km road, vehicles can ply only on 324 km. DDC has restricted use of tractors on the road for three months during monsoon, said Local Development Officer Tulasi Bahadur Shrestha.