SANKHUWASABHA: As many as 40 families have been displaced by landslips triggered by the downpour in two Sankhuwasabha VDCs.

According to acting CDO Rajendra Sigdel, 16 families of Bala-8, 18 families of Bala-9 and six of Tamku-8 have been displaced. The families deserted their homes as the landslips occurred on all sides of their village. The displaced are taking refuge in nearby Shivashakti Community Forest.

The disaster has also cut link with 50 households in Betini as a flood swept away the bridge linking Bala-8 with Tamku-8. A school building has also been swept away, Inspector Prakash Sharma said.

Local Adal Kumar Rai said the whole village was under threat as the downpour had not ceased yet. A police team deployed for rescue operation could not reach the incident site.

Issuing a press release, Human Rights Network in the district has urged concerned authorities to start rescue operation at the earliest.

Meanwhile, the building of Mahakali Lower Secondary School in Bala VDC-9 was swept away in last night's landslide.

Sixteen victims' families today arrived at the district headquarters from Dakhuila demanding relief. They informed the CDO about their problems. The victims have urged the District Administration Office, political parties and NGOs for assistance.

Acting CDO Sigdel promised them relief materials after studying the situation.