MELAMCHI: Floods in the Bhotekoshi River have so far swept away 79 houses in Tatopani, Liping and Barhabise areas of Sindhupalchok district.

The  Bhotekoshi River, which  has  been in flood as a result of incessant rainfall since July 5, continues to terrorise the normal life by eroding lands on its banks and washing away houses.

The flooded river swept away 43 cemented houses and 36 huts in the areas. Earlier, a canteen of the Tatotapani Customs Office and two tippers parked on its premises were swept away by floodwaters. A building of the Mansarovar Boarding School, Tatopani was completely destroyed in the disaster. Electricity and telephone services in Tatopani, Liping and Barhabise have remained disconnected as power poles are down.

Some 30 kilometres of the sections of the Araniko Highway have suffered land erosion in multiple locations. The landslides triggered by the torrential rains have obstructed the highway at several places.

"We have attempted  to clear the landslide boulders, debris and reopen the highway", said Inspector Yograj Khatiwada of District Police Office Sindhupalchok.