OCHA Situation Report No. 1
Nepal: Mid and Far Western Floods and Landslides
23 September 2008


Source:
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

This situation report is based on information received from UN Agencies and
humanitarian partners and government sources based in Kathmandu and the
affected districts.

CONTEXT

Situation Overview

On 19 September, heavy rains hit several districts in Mid and Far Western 
regions of Nepal. The incessant rains caused floods and landslides in 
Bardiya, Banke, Dang, Dadeldhura, Kailali, Kanchanpur, Doti and Salyan 
Districts. According to the Ministry of Home Affairs as well as the Nepal 
Red Cross Society and other humanitarian partners on the ground, the 
greatest impact of the floods and landslides are being felt in Kailali and 
Kanchanpur districts.

Around 100 metres of road along the East-West Highway at Pahalmanpur, 
Kailali is completely washed away. It is estimated that it will take at 
least 3 days to repair this stretch of the road. Electricity and 
telephones are cut off in some VDCs, which hampered information collection 
from the affected areas. Air transport from Dhangadhi was canceled on 20 
September but has since resumed. Many people are attempting to move to 
Nepalgunj by the Highway or via India. Landslides along the Dhangadhi- 
Dadeldhura highway have obstructed vehicles movement from Dadeldhura.

The weather forecasting system of the Department of Hydrology and 
Meteorology (DHM) indicate that that the rains are likely to gradually 
reduce in intensity in the affected districts by 23 September.

Kailali: According to the government and Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS), 
floods and landslides have caused 13 deaths, 28 people reported missing 
and an estimated 8,942 families displaced in 19 VDCs including Khailad, 
Khurkuriya, Ratanpur, Bhuyaphata, Mohanpur, Khonpur, Hasauliya, Lalbojih, 
Dhansinghpur, Narayanpur and Nigali Village Development Councils (VDCs) 
and Dhangadhi Municipality in Kailali District. The Geta Eye Hospital is 
also reportedly inundated by flood waters. The majority of Sukumbasi 
(landless) and former Kamaiya settlements are severely affected by the 
flood waters in Kailali District.

Kanchanpur: In Kanchanpur District, as of 22 September, 9 people were 
reported killed in Dhodohara VDC and estimated 3,000 families are 
displaced from several VDCs. In Chadani VDC, 32 houses are completely 
swept away by the flooded Jogbudha River. The flood affected VDCs include 
Sudha, Daiji, Dhakatbhuli, Krishnanagar, Mahendranagar Municipality ward 
numbers 1,3,6,10,11,12 and 13. Dhodohara and Chadani VDCs are cut off from 
communication and the true extent of damage remains unknown

Doti: According to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA), 5 people died and 
3 were seriously injured due to the floods and landslide. Transport, 
electricity and communications systems between Doti district headquarters 
and Kailali are disrupted.

According to NRCS, the floods and landslides have also caused heavy damage 
and displacement in Bardiya, Dadeldhura, Dang and Salyan districts. 
Transport, communication and electricity in these districts are disrupted.

RESPONSE

On 21 September, the government convened the Central Disaster Relief 
Committee (CDRC), under the chairmanship of the Minister for Home Affairs, 
in Kathmandu. The Meeting decided to mobilize all existing government 
resources including security forces, helicopters and relief equipments to 
rescue people in the affected districts and take them to safer places 
where temporary shelter, food and basic health services could be provided. 
The CDRC also decided to mobilize more resources at the national and local 
level to respond to the disaster.

On 21 September, the government dispatched two Nepal Army helicopters to 
Kailali and Kanchanpur districts to support local response. A team of 
Constituent Assembly members led by the Minister for Labour and Transport 
Management and health teams left Kathmandu for Kailali District.

On 22 September, the Home Ministry requested OCHA to support the 
government coordination efforts at the District and regional levels 
through participation in the DDRC meetings.

Attachments:
http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/retrieveattachments?openagent&docid=92EB139A9D20D9DE852574CD007068ED&file=Full_Report.pdf


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