Debris from a dry landslide deposited by the Barun stream has dammed the Arun river at Syaksila Gola in Sankhuwasabha district, forming a lake about three kilometres long and triggering panic among locals.

The District Natural Disaster Rescue Committee ruled out immediate threat of flooding, saying the water has started to flow. Home Ministry Spokesperson Bal Krishna Panthi also confirmed that there was no immediate threat to people living downstream as the water level has started to recede.

Three houses belonging to Rinjin Bhote, Chhechya Bhote and Chhindum Bhote, however, were inundated while seven other houses in the area are at high risk. Ten families have moved to higher grounds for fear the dammed river could burst and send flash floods through the area. 

The incident site is about 80km north of Khandbari, the district headquarters of Sankhuwasabha. The area is about two days’ walk from Khandbari. 

The local administration and Nepal Red Cross Society have distributed foodstuff, tents and clothes to the displaced families. Relief amount will be distributed soon, said Chief District Officer Shivaraj Joshi.

According to locals, the river was dammed after Barun stream flooding at around 4pm on Thursday. 

Police teams from Hedana and Hatiya Gola have been deployed in the area. Nepal Army (NA) personnel deployed for the security of Makalu-Barun National Park have also been mobilised. Local administration offices in Sankhuwasabha, Udayapur and Sunsari districts meanwhile have urged people living near the riverbanks downstream to maintain caution.