Sinkholes appear in Armala again

POKHARA, July 12

With incessant rainfall, sinkholes have started to appear again in Armala of Pokhara.

The reappearance of sinkholes after a gap of some time has unleashed terror among locals. The cave-ins were seen for the first time one-and-a-half-year ago.

A local in Armala said that land had started to cave in three days ago and more than 15 sinkholes had appeared so far. The sinkholes have put drinking water pipe, road, electricity poles, and a private school in peril.

Following the repeated appearance of sinkholes, a team of experts from Mine and Geology Department had suggested that locals cultivate only the dry crops at Thulibeshi Phant. The locals, however, had defied the suggestion and planted paddy.

Senior specialist at Mine and Geology Department Shree Kamal Dwibedi said paddy should not be planted at Thulibeshi Phant for at least five years.

Armala Disaster Management Committee Chairman Liladhar Acharya said sinkholes have put the houses of Dinesh Nepali, Bhupendra Paudel, Krishna Prasad Paudel, Prakash Karki, Kamal Karki and Sita Karki at risk.

Last year, more than 500 ropani arable land was left uncultivated. This year, paddy has not been planted in more than 300 ropani land.