Key Takeaways:

• 23 families displaced, 18 more at risk in Badimalika Municipality-6
• Flood triggered by landslide blockage and sudden outburst in Birekhola
• Paddy fields, fish pond, water mills and ticket counter damaged
• Families moved to higher ground; authorities assessing damage
• Disaster revives crisis from 2020 Budhiganga flood, which destroyed farmland

BAJURA, SEPTEMBER 6 For families in Birekhola, the latest flood has revived a crisis that began years ago: after losing much of their farmland to floods in 2020, they are now facing the threat of losing their homes. A flash flood in the Birekhola Jharana area of Badimalika Municipality displaced 23 families on Friday night, while another 18 families remain at risk, according to local officials. The flood followed continuous rainfall that triggered a landslide in the upper reaches of Birekhola, temporarily blocking the stream and forming a pond. The accumulated water later burst through, sending a large surge through the settlement, locals said. Although no deaths or direct damage to houses have been reported, the flood passed through the middle of the settlement, forcing the affected families to leave their homes. They have been moved to a safer location on higher ground. The flood also swept away paddy crops and turned cultivated fields into riverbed. A fish pond, two traditional water mills and the ticket counter of Birekhola Jharana were also damaged. 'Last night, at around 8:00pm, a huge flood suddenly came down Birekhola. We left our homes, and since then we have had neither food nor shelter,' local resident Lalsingh Saud said. The latest disaster has particularly affected families dependent on agriculture. A major flood in the Budhiganga River on August 9, 2020, had already swept away large areas of cultivable land in the area. 'First we lost our farmland, and now even our homes are not safe,' local resident Kali Saud said. 'The growing risk of river erosion and floods has left us wondering where we will live and what we will eat.' Acting Ward Chairperson Pare Baduwal of Badimalika-6 said 41 families had been affected by the latest flood. He said the immediate priority was to keep the displaced families in safer areas, but the longer-term flood risk remained. Assistant Chief District Officer Laxman Pudasaini said authorities were collecting details of the damage and assessing the situation.