PARBAT: A devastating landslide triggered by heavy rainfall last Saturday night has completely destroyed six houses in Thana Maula, Khalte, located in Ward No. 8 of Phalebas Municipality.

According to Ward Chairperson Man Bahadur Kunwar, the houses of local residents Min Bahadur Nepali, Nanda Kumari Bhandari, Dil Bahadur Gurung, Asmita Sarki, Laxmi Pariyar, one vacant house, and a cattle shed have been fully destroyed. Additionally, ten more houses in the area are at high risk due to ongoing land movement.

Fortunately, there has been no loss of human or livestock life. Residents were able to evacuate to safer areas along with their animals after noticing cracks forming in the land.

The landslide originated from a gully located below the settlement, which has been slowly eroding and advancing toward the village for the past few years.

The displaced families have been temporarily sheltered in tents set up on the playground of Janjyoti Secondary School, according to Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Rabin Bista.

A team from the District Disaster Management Committee, including Phalebas Municipality Mayor Gangadhar Tiwari, Deputy Mayor Shobha Kshetri, and other local representatives, conducted an on-site inspection. Mayor Tiwari stated that five tents have been provided as temporary shelters for the affected families.

Efforts are underway through the District Disaster Management Committee to help relocate and construct permanent housing for the displaced families in safer locations.