MUSTANG, NOVEMBER 15

As many as 120 yaks or chauri gai have gone missing in an avalanche that occurred in the forest of Thasang Rural Municipality-2 of Mustang.

The avalanche occurred above the Manapathi Mountain that lies in the top hill of Kowang, Larjung, Boksikhola and Naurikot.

Ward chairperson Nar Prasad Hirachan shared the avalanche also blew away home roof of Ratna Kumari Sherchan, a local of Naurikot.

'Some 11 teachers and students of Janaadarsha Amarsingh Secondary School of Kobang who sustained minor injuries in stampede during avalanche have returned home after treatment in Jomsom', he further informed.

Out of 65 yaks owned by Bhim Sherchan and another 65 owned by Sakendra Gauchan, only 10 to 12 have only been found. The shepherds who took the yaks to grazing ground however have come to contact.

Chief District Officer Netra Prasad Sharma shared that only 10-12 out of 130 yaks were seen through binocular and missing yaks were presumably buried in avalanche.

The avalanche has broken down standing trees in the forest and also caused damages to the habitat of wildlife.

Even vehicular movement was disrupted along the Beni-Jomsom road section. The snow mound that sneaked into the homes at Naurikot now have melted turning the houses into a muddy land.

The snow burst has also caused damages to house roofs and grains stored in godown.

Ward chair Hirachan said the cows, buffaloes and sheep that were brought to forest for grazing might have also been killed in avalanche.

Damage is also visible in farming. A team comprising federal parliamentarian Prem Prasad Tulachan,

Province Assembly member Chandra Mohan Gauchan, Mahendra Thakali and CDO Sharma, among others had made onsite inspection of the site.

Detail information of loss and damage is being collected, shared police post in-charge Netra Jiti.

It is noted the unseasoned avalanche took place due to rise in temperature and climate change effects.