Floods in Thame River Continue to Erode River Basin Area

The flooded Thame River in Khumbu Pasanglhamu Rural Municipality-5 of Solukhumbu district continues to erode the river basin area. Since the flood began on Friday afternoon, erosion has persisted in areas around Khumbu and Lower Solu.

Laxman Giri, a police inspector at the District Police Office, Solukhumbu stated that although the water level in the river has receded, the erosion is ongoing. The flood has swept away 20 houses and lodges, a health post, and a school in Khumbu Pasanglhamu Rural Municipality, Ward No. 5.

The local power project's powerhouse was completely damaged, and 200 meters of the trekking route from Phakding to the Namche has been washed away. Deputy Superintendent of Police Dwarika Prasad Ghimire shared that personnel from the Nepalese Army and Nepal Police were deployed to rescue and provide relief to those affected by the flood.

So far, 93 people have been rescued from the flood-affected areas and provided shelter in an army camp, while 42 people are taking shelter in a local community building. Additionally, five families from Mapyadudhkosi Rural Municipality-6 have been relocated by the police.

Meanwhile, the Mapya-Khumbu Friendship Bridge over the Dudhkoshi River, which connects Khumbu Pasanglhamu Rural Municipality and Mapyadudhkosi Rural Municipality, was damaged by the floods. As a result, the direct road network from Salleri to Khumbu has been disrupted.

Lamakaji Sherpa, chairperson of the Everest Pollution Control Committee, suggested that the flood may have resulted from an outburst of a glacial lake in the Khumbu area.

Chief District Officer Devi Pandey Khatri shared that a team from the Central Disaster Management Committee, along with Defense Minister Manbir Rai, is set to arrive at the disaster-hit area for an on-site inspection on Saturday. -- RSS