Taplejung : The continuous rainfall and subsequent landslides in the eastern region of Taplejung have been affecting students’ education. Due to the blocked roads caused by landslides, the situation of being unable to reach schools has affected the students’ studies in Siddhingwa and Sirijangha Rural Municipalities.
On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, the incessant rainfall posed a high risk to the Kanchanjunga Secondary School located in Amfu Deen of Sirijangha Rural Municipality-8. The Education Department of Sirijangha Rural Municipality informed that around 122 students studying in that school were affected. Due to the landslides, the roads were blocked, making it impossible to open alternative routes. The uncertainty caused by landslides led to the closure of schools in Sirijangha Rural Municipality, as mentioned by the Chief Administrative Officer, Sky Pokharel.
There are a total of 42 schools operating in Sirijangha Rural Municipality. Due to the effects of landslides, all the schools in the municipality are currently closed indefinitely.
Similarly, in Siddhingwa Rural Municipality, there are 39 schools. According to the Chief Administrative Officer, Rudra Prasad Begha, approximately 3,101 students are studying in those 39 schools. However, due to the landslides, all educational institutions have been closed, as mentioned by Begha.
In order to mitigate the effects of the upcoming monsoon and facilitate the students, the Rural Municipality has announced holidays for the students until July 20. Considering the difficulties in commuting to and from schools due to continuous rainfall and landslides, the Rural Municipality has declared holidays in schools starting from Asar 8 (June 22).
According to the District Police Office, four people, including three members of the same family, have been reported missing due to the landslide that occurred in Mehele of Siddhingwa Rural Municipality-6 on Saturday night.
The bodies of three individuals were recovered the same day. Among them, one was the father of a family. Meanwhile, a helicopter of the Nepali Army rescued the body of another person and airlifted an injured individual to the Neuro Hospital in Biratnagar.