JHAPA: Seven persons have died due to the flood triggered by last week's downpour in Jhapa district. According to the statistics made public by District Administration Office, Jhapa, today, one has gone missing while physical infrastructure worth billions of rupees has been damaged.

The deceased have been identified as Sabina Murmu and Dal Bahadur Tolangi of Ghailaduba, Nischal Tamang, Dilmaya Magar and Marapache Sunuwar of Damak municipality, Domanlal Yadav of Khajurgachhi and Lakhanram Murmu of Lakhanpur. The missing is said to be a Topgachhi resident.

The flood has inundated Dangibari, Ghailaduba, Sharnamati Kumarkhoda, Tananaduba, Rajgadh, Anarmani, Kohabara, Charpane and Mahabhara VDCs.

The flood has displaced 183 families completely and 1,882 momentarily, says the report. Fifty of the families have been shifted to safety. The victims have been housed in 16 schools and 34 dharmashalas in the district. This has affected the study of about 4,000 students. As many as 415 houses have been destroyed while 418 have sustained minor damage.

Billions of rupees have been lost with the destruction of bridges, culverts and roads. Paddy planted in about 464 hectares of land has been covered by sand while 660 hectares of land has been lost to erosion.

DAO Jhapa, District Development Committee, Nepal Red Cross, Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Sahara Nepal, Surya Narayan Rajbanshi Foundation and Sarbhekshan Samuha have distributed relief packages to the flood-hit population.

Some 50,000 sacks, as many lengths of nylon ropes and galvanised wire have been distributed. Food, medicine, health personnel, potable water and toilets have been demanded in areas inhabited by the displaced.

According to District Public Health Office Jhapa, diseases such as diarrhoea, high fever and headache were found in the camps. DPHO chief Navaraj Subba said the displaced had fallen ill due to the lack of potable water and sanitation. Two physicians have arrived in the district from Kathmandu in view of a possible disease outbreak.