Rukum West — One woman has died and six others have been injured after a mud-laden flash flood swept through Gairigaun, Ward No. 5 of Jagdulla Rural Municipality in Dolpa District.
According to the Chief of the District Police Office, Dolpa, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Anil Raj Giri, the deceased has been identified as 56-year-old local resident Anandi Bik. He stated that continuous rainfall triggered a mud and debris flow in the Dhulakhola stream, which entered the village at approximately 3:00 a.m.
Police from the Majhgaun Police Post were immediately deployed after receiving reports that the flood had entered and damaged around eight houses. With the assistance of local residents, the police rescued Anandi Bik, who had been trapped beneath the debris inside her home.She was being transported to the Kaigaun Health Post for treatment but succumbed to her injuries on the way, DSP Giri said.
An additional police team led by Police Inspector Padam Rawal from the District Police Office has since reached the incident site to assist with rescue and response efforts.
Police reported that six other residents sustained injuries in the flood. The injured have been identified as approximately 50-year-old Chauri Bik, 44-year-old Reuli Bik, 48-year-old Bishnu Bik, 15-year-old Niruta Bik, 13-year-old Sita Bik, and 65-year-old Jas Bik, all from the same village.
Among the injured, five have been discharged after receiving treatment, while one person remains in critical condition and has been referred to a better-equipped hospital for advanced medical care.
Authorities stated that efforts are ongoing to assess the full extent of the damage, conduct further rescue operations, and provide relief to the affected residents. Coordination is also underway to either airlift the critically injured person by helicopter or transfer them to a hospital in Jumla for specialized treatment.
