Submit your Article

Life in the Tarai region as well as in the hilly region has been affected due to the lack of rain for a long time. The increasing heat and dry conditions have led to the growing incidences of fire in various places of the country.

News reports of livestock, food grains and properties destroyed by infernos have been received from various places.

A report from Bhairahawa, Rupandehi, stated that a fire spread to nine villages from Rohini Rural Municipality-6 in Rupandehi district last night, said Deputy Superintendent of Police Manohar Bhatta, the spokesperson at the District Police Office Rupandehi.

The fire that started from the dry wheat stalk was fanned by winds and it spread to Bishnupura, Parsa, Buchi, Barawa, Tarkulaha, Kotahawa, Chamkipur and Piprahawa. Although there are no human casualties due to the fire, 40 houses have been destroyed and 39 goats killed in the fires, he said.

The fire was brought under control in the evening with the joint efforts of the police, the Armed Police Force, the Nepali Army and the locals, using the fire engine of the Devdaha municipality.

Spokesperson Bhatta said fire incidents have been reported from throughout the district, Bhatta said. A fire at Gaidahawa rural municipality has also destroyed properties worth hundreds of thousands of rupees, he said.

Fire destroys 28 houses and sheds in Gulmi

A news report from Tamghas, Gulmi said 28 structures, including houses, shops and cowsheds were destroyed by fire that spread from a forest in Gulmi district.

Fire that raged on Friday until Saturday night razed many houses and cowsheds at Isma Rural Municipality's wards 1, 2 and 4, and at Gulmidurbar Rural Municipality, said Shankar Prasad Pokhrel, the spokesperson at the District Police Office, Gulmi.

According to him, the fire that started at the Rani Community Forest at Sindukha, Isma Rural Municipality-2 on Saturday afternoon spread to the settlements. The fire destroyed houses and animal sheds belonging to 15 persons at Hastichaur, killing a dozen cattle.

Similarly, the fire that spread out from the nearby forest has partially damaged the electricity substation at Birbas, Gulmidarbar rural municipality-4 on Friday. Security personnel and locals brought the fire under control and prevented the substation from becoming fully-destroyed.

The fire has caused damage worth around Rs 20 million to the substation, police said.

Similarly, a news report from Birgunj, Parsa said fire that spread from a wheat field across the border in India burnt thatched roof houses and food grains as well as crops of farmers at Bhalamahiya settlement, Chhipaharmai rural municipality-1 in Parsa district. The disaster has damaged properties and food grains worth hundreds of thousands of rupees, it has been learnt.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has urged the people residing in the vicinity of Budhigandaki River in Gorkha to remain vigilant at possible consequences from an increased water flow in the river.

A massive avalanche from Mount Manaslu this morning fell into the Birendra Lake beneath the peak, causing it to overflow. The lake is considered the origin of the Budhigandaki.

Following the lake outburst, the water level in the river has significantly increased, prompting the Home Ministry to issue a notice of precaution to the people residing near the river in the downstream areas.

According to Ministry Spokesperson Narayan Prasad Bhattarai, the flood may result in a significant loss. "And amidst this possibility, we appeal to the population concerned to take preventive measures on time. "

However, the District Police Office, Gorkha said the situation suggests no immediate risk for the further loss. Once reporting about the occurrence of the disaster, a police squad from the office promptly left for the site for a response, it is said.

Jufal Airport in Dolpa, which had remained closed for 53 days, has resumed operations from today.  

The airport was temporarily shut to upgrade the 185-meter-long runway which was completed at a cost of Rs 60 million including VAT, according to Civil Aviation Authority's engineer Bir Prasad Shahi.

This morning, a Tara Air flight from Nepalgunj landed at Jufal, marking the resumption of the services. Prior to this, the runway was in a dilapidated condition, posing a threat to travelers.

Jufal serves as the sole airport in Dolpa of Karnali Province, the largest district across the country.

The flow of water in the Gandaki River has increased after the bursting of Birendra Lake in Chumanubri Rural Municipality-1, Gorkha due to the avalanche that fell from above.

Ward member Dhegen Doma said that a huge ice fell into the lake in an apparent avalanche at 9:45 am today.

“A huge ice avalanche fell into the lake from above,” she said, adding, “The flow of water in the Gandaki River has increased following the incident.” She suspected that tourists might have gone there in the morning to see the Manaslu Base Camp and Birendra Lake as it is the tourist season.

The avalanche has also swept away the wooden bridge that connects Samdo from Samagaun, police said.

“The flow of water in the river has increased. We have urged the people living near the river banks to remain alert,” DSP Ramesh Kumar Shrestha said.

A team of police from Samagaun Post has already left for the incident site to take stock of the situation.