Nine Families Displaced as Phekando Cliff Develops Cracks, 18 More Households at Risk

Dragon Media Correspondent

Nine families from Dosalle settlement in Histan, Annapurna Rural Municipality–7 of Myagdi, have been displaced after cracks developed in the Phekando cliff and landslides began falling from the slope. Another 18 households remain at risk.

According to Annapurna Rural Municipality Chairperson Bharat Kumar Pun, nine families from Bhirkhalta Tole in Dosalle were relocated to safer areas after being identified as highly vulnerable.

Pun said a joint team of elected representatives, security officials and local residents inspected the site and concluded that the cracked section of the cliff could collapse at any time. Livestock and household belongings belonging to the most vulnerable families were also moved as a precaution.

Ward Chairperson Mailan Purja Pun said the families of Ramchandra Purja, Sher Prasad Paija, Bijay Purja, Harkabir Garbuja, Dut Bahadur Pun, Krishna Bahadur Pun, Sohan Singh Pun, Hem Bahadur Pun and Re Bahadur Pun have left their homes and begun staying in safer locations.

A few days ago, after cracks appeared in the cliff and rocks and debris began falling, a local team comprising Prem Bahadur Paija, Khagbir Paija, Sher Pratap Paija and ward member Buddhbir Pun inspected the Phekando area and informed the rural municipality and district administration.

Following the report, a team including Rural Municipality Chairperson Pun, Vice-Chairperson Diva Tilija Pun and Chief District Officer Rabindra Acharya inspected the high-risk area. The authorities have recommended that the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority deploy geologists for a detailed assessment. A drone camera was also used during the preliminary inspection.

The Phekando cliff lies at the top of the hill, with Dosalle settlement situated below a forested section further down the slope. At the foot of Dosalle, along the Kali Gandaki River, lies Tiplyang Bazaar in Raghuganga Rural Municipality–1.

Sixty-nine-year-old Jit Bahadur Purja of Dosalle said he had travelled through the Phekando area since childhood while collecting fodder and firewood and moving between seasonal settlements, but had never previously seen such extensive cracks in the hill.

He said fear has grown among residents as multiple fissures have now appeared and rocks have begun falling from the cliff.

Local resident Ramchandra Purja said he moved his belongings and began staying in a cowshed in Upper Dosalle after falling rocks started reaching his house and courtyard. He now visits his orange orchard only during the daytime when there is no rain.

The newly developed landslide has also put orange orchards in Bhirkhalta Tole at risk.

Ward Chairperson Purja said a major collapse could also damage the Beni–Jomsom–Korala road section of the Kali Gandaki Corridor near Tiplyang, as well as the road linking Dosalle with Histan and Ramche.