Landslips shut schools in Baglung

BAGLUNG: Two schools in Rayadanda VDC of Baglung district have been shut down after recent landslides posed threat to the school buildings. Besides, the landslips triggered by downpour also damaged roads at various points, making it difficult for students to come to the schools.

Management committees of Mahabidhyajan Secondary School and Deepjyoti Boarding School today issued notices and asked the students to stay at home for a week until things changed for better.

The landslides in four wards of the VDC four days ago have swept away roads and water taps of 130 households, the locals said. Public movement has been affected while 30 families — four in Khor, 12 in Simle, three in Aphre and 10 in Bhaludeep — have been displaced.

The decision to close the schools has affected the study of over 400 students, local residents said. “How can we conduct classes when the buildings too face a risk of collapse?” Dipendra Thapa, chairman, MSS management committee, asked.

According to him, a dozen landslips have cut links with the school, by damaging the roads.

The displaced families have been taking shelter in neighbouring villages. Residents of Ward No 5 are collecting water from the Pulami River since the underground water-pipe network was damaged in the landslide.

Markendeya Sapkota, a resident of Rayadanda-7, was killed and over 18 livestock were buried in the landslide. Power supply to the villages has been cut since the disaster uprooted electricity poles, Hari Bahadur Thapa, a local resident, said.

Another landslide at Dobisalla in Bihu VDC has also displaced five families. The families, including of Rajbir Kunwar, Tara Prasad Gautam and Kamal Bahadur KC, have been displaced, villagers said.

Over 100 families have been affected after the landslide dislocated the pipes supplying drinking water to Kudule in Baglung Municipality three days ago.