Frequent landslides disrupt daily life in Purchaodi municipality

Baitadi: Landslides triggered by continuous rainfall have disrupted traffic on several road sections in Purchaodi Municipality, Baitadi. Locals said the problem is especially severe when the Dholyamod–Purchaodi Hat road, which connects the municipal center, becomes blocked.

Ganesh Bista of Ward No. 8 said that frequent road blockages have created chaos in daily life, affecting students on their way to school and patients needing hospital care. “Due to the road blockage, patients cannot be taken to hospitals on time, and even general treatment is being delayed,” he said.

Trader Surendra Joshi noted that the supply of essential goods has also been hampered. “Consumers and traders are both affected as food items like rice and oil have not reached the market on time. Roads here are blocked as soon as it rains,” he said. Local resident Parbati Bohara added, “This happens every year during the monsoon. Temporary repairs are made, but no permanent solution is ever found.”

Residents said people returning home after celebrating festivals such as Teej and Gaura are also facing hardships, while those traveling for work have been forced to suffer. “Children and the elderly traveling with belongings are struggling due to repeated road problems,” said Lokesh Saud of Purchaodi-8.

Farmers, too, are bearing losses as they cannot transport their produce to the market. “Corn and vegetables are being destroyed in the fields instead of being sold,” said farmer Karan Airi of Ward No. 7. Local teacher Dinesh Parki stressed that priority should be given to building alternative routes and sustainable infrastructure.

People’s representatives of Purchaodi Municipality said efforts are underway to repair the damaged sections and construct sustainable structures. However, they noted that the work remains challenging due to ongoing heavy rainfall.