DHANGADHI: The unseasonal rainfall and attendant flash floods have take their toll on

human lives.

At last count, 73 people lost their lives, and 15 are still missing.

As per the police records, more than 1 lakh people have been displaced in the nature’s fury.

Achham recorded the highest toll, which stands at 23. Home Minister Bhim Rawal maintained that hundreds of families are still in peril.

The affected are furious with the government for lack of rescue and relief

operations. Locals of Patalkot of Achham, Mastamandau of Dadeldhura and Deulek of Bajhang are still searching for their near and dear ones four days after the tragedy. “The government has been callous to our cause. It didn’t deploy the rescue team on time,” said Laxmi Bohara, a resident of Patalkot. Twelve members of Bhul family, residents of Mastamandu in Dadeldhura, were buried to death in the landslides.

Dambar Bahadur Bhul,

his wife, Matadevi,

daughters Sunakumari, Thagu and Hema were killed in the incident.

Similarly Bijaya Bhul, his wife Padma, mother Lalidevi, sons Ramesh, Mahadev and Binod and daughter Basanti lost their lives.

However, two members of Bijaya’s families were saved.

“I lost five members of my family after Dashain. Three of my brothers died in the landslides. Who do I celebrate Tihar with?” asked Bishna, tears welling up

in her eyes.

Agricultural yield, especially paddy, too, was lost across the Mid and Far Western regions. Thousands of livestocks have also perished.

“We’ll face starvation this year due to loss of crops,” said Dhamboji locals in Kailali. The displaced have taken shelter either in local schools or pitched tents in open grounds.

Thousands are going without food for days on end.

“Though the government has announced a relief package of Rs 15 crore, the victims are yet to receive a

penny,” said Ramesh Bajagain, a resident of Shahipur.

Regional administration offices maintained that rescue and relief operations have been intensified after the weather improved.

Most of the highways and link roads have been cut off due to landslides. Though the foodstuffs earmarked for the hilly districts in the far-west for Tihar have arrived in Nepalgunj and Dhangadhi, they are gathering dust

because of the road blockade. “The government should ensure food and shelter for us immediately,” said victims in Bajhang.

While, Dadeldhura locals demanded adequate potable water.

Ramesh Bohara, a local, complained of lack of drinking water for the past four days. Similarly, flood victims in Parbat are yet to get relief. “NGOs have not addressed our woes,”alleged the

displaced.

Toll across region

Achham 23

Dadeldhura 12

Bajhang 11

Doti 5

Baitadi 2

Kanchanpur 2

Kailali 2

Parbat 4

Syangja 2

Banke 3

Bardiya 3

Dang 2

Jumla 2

Lamjung 1

Manang 1