PHIDIM: Torrents of continuous rainfall in Panchthar have triggered devastating landslides and flash floods, displacing four families and threatening 15 other homes in Yangwarak Rural Municipality-1.

According to DSP Anish Kumar Karna, displaced residents have been evacuated to relatives’ homes as landslide debris continues to endanger local settlements.

The disaster has crippled regional connectivity, completely halting traffic after washing away two under-construction road bridges over the Mewa Khola and Tamor River.

The destruction includes 350 tons of steel trusses from the Tamor Corridor project, alongside multiple suspension bridges, causing a total blockade on key sections of the Mid-Hill Highway.

Critical infrastructure has suffered massive setbacks, with floodwaters damaging the Mewa Khola, Ingwa Khola, and Arun Kabeli hydropower projects.

Additionally, the flooding has ravaged local cardamom plantations, submerged fertile agricultural land, and wrecked several vital drinking water and irrigation schemes across the district.