7 more explosions to drain out dammed Sunkoshi River

KATHMANDU, AUG 09 - Nepali Army (NA) on Saturday carried out seven more explosion s in an attempt to speed up the outflow of water from the dam created after landslide in the Sunkoshi River at Jure Village of Sindhupalchok district.

Yesterday, the NA had carried out 23 explosion s to drain out water from the dammed Sunkoshi River.

A five-meter tall dam has been formed after a massive landslide blocked Sunkoshi River at Mankha VDC in Sindhupalchowk district on Saturday morning.

The NA has informed that the water level at the artificial lake is continually decreasing and that the water level at the dammed river had decreased by seven centimeters today.

NA Directorate of Public Relations further informed that efforts are underway to resume the Kodari Highway as soon as possible by providing outlet to the artificial lake.

The government has already announced the missing 123 people as dead while the rescuers have so far been able to recover 33 bodies from the landslide debris.

The government has announced a relief of Rs 40,000 each for the families of the deceased and Rs 5000 each for the damaged houses. The landslide has also blocked the Araniko Higway thereby compelling the commuters to choose for alternative route.

Likewise, five Hydropower plants generating 67MW power in the region have been halted.