Updates on the Flooding in Seti River Situation Report-01

I. Background:

A landslide near Machhapuchhre Mountain in Kaski district triggered a catastrophic flash flood in Seti River, sweeping settlements and breaching the river banks downstream on 05 May 2012 at around 0930 hrs. Kharapani village in Sardikhola Village Development Committee (VDC) and Sadal village in Machhapuchhre VDC are worst hit by the powerful outburst. Total of 17 people have confirmed dead and 47 gone missing as of 1800 hrs, 06 May 2012. Most of the deceased are pilgrims, people picnicking, locals, tourists and laborers working on sand/stone quarry in the river bank. The level of Seti River was as high as 30 ft at some locations during the time of flooding. The bad hit area is 40 km north from Pokhara valley.

II. Situation Overview:

· Total Human Casualty: 17 persons confirmed dead and 47 persons missing including 4 children and 3 foreigners, the number of missing is expected to rise up to 100 persons as people from neighboring districts are coming to search for their relatives;

· Five persons including 3 children sustained injured and are under treatment in Manipal Hospital and Gandaki Hospital in Pokhara; most of the injured were rescued from the buried state in the river;

· Total of 14 families (nine in Kharapani village of Sardikhola VDC, also called as Tatopani and five in Machhapuchhre VDC-09) have been displaced; two children of age 8 and 11 respectively lost their both of the parents during the incident and they are taken care by their relatives for the time being;

· Total of 52 goats, 17 water buffalo and cows have been lost; total of 7 tractors, 3 mini trucks and 1 van have been swept away by the flooding;

· Total of 20 houses (4 permanent and 16 temporary), two temples, one community building have been completely swept away;

· Total of half of a kilometer of the road section, two suspension bridges, water supply system to the Pokhara valley and electric poles have been damaged; almost 25 meter of water pipe has been washed away across Seti River which supplies drinking water to Pokhara valley from Mardi Khola;

· Access to Annapurna Lower Secondary School, which is in the safe location has been interrupted due to collapse of the suspension bridge over the Seti River, school is closed now and around 50-60 children from other side of the river have no access to school now;

· Exact number of displaced families is yet to be ascertained as there may be more people displaced towards downstream of the river.

· Since, the affected families in the major two sites in Kaski are comparatively less than non local residents especially visitors, pilgrims, students having picnic, labors etc; and Red-cross has already provided the immediate relief items to the victims family; DDRC has not yet appealed for the external support for this incident.