News & Announcement
Flash Flood in Maltini River Damages Access Road to Thek Village; Restoration Measures Initiated
Pakyong, June 6 (IPR): To assess the damage caused by the flash flood in the Maltini River that occurred on June 5, disrupting connectivity and raising concerns over the safety of residents living near the riverbank, a field inspection was conducted at Thek Village under Latuk Chochenperi Gram Panchayat (GPU) today, under the directives of the District Collector (DC) Pakyong.
The inspection team was led by Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Pakyong, Mr Nilkanta Bhandari, along with Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to MLA Gnathang-Machong Constituency, Mr MB Gurung; District Project Officer, Mr TR Chettri; Deputy Director, Land Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Mr Subash Dhakal; RO/AD Mr Kiran Chettri; representatives from Nalanda Engicom Pvt. Ltd.; Panchayat members; and local residents affected by the flash flood.
During the inspection, the team observed that the approach road leading to Thek Village had been severed due to the sudden surge in the Maltini River, disrupting transportation and access to the village. Despite the damage to connectivity, no casualties or major destruction to houses and private properties were reported.
However, a few houses located along the riverbank were found to be vulnerable to lateral erosion caused by the swollen river, prompting concerns about their safety amid the ongoing monsoon season. Following an on-site assessment, officials highlighted the urgent need for the construction of a protective retaining wall as an immediate mitigation measure to safeguard the affected households and prevent further erosion.
The team also inspected the hanging bridge across the river and found it to be in a dilapidated condition, requiring urgent repairs to ensure the safety of school-going children and villagers who depend on it for daily movement.
During interactions with the affected residents, SDM Pakyong Mr Nilkhanta Bhandari assured immediate assistance for relief and restoration works, stating that necessary steps would be taken to restore connectivity and strengthen preventive measures in the area.
Meanwhile, representatives from Nalanda Engicom Pvt. Ltd. assured support for restoration activities by providing cement and fuel for JCB operations wherever required. Considering the vulnerability of the area during the monsoon season, the company was also directed to suspend all cutting, dumping, and excavation activities until September 2026.
Further, Panchayat members were advised to appoint local informants at the construction site to closely monitor and promptly report any earth-cutting or dumping activities that may pose risks to downstream areas. Officials stressed that community vigilance and coordinated efforts would play a crucial role in minimising disaster-related risks during the monsoon period.
The inspection team was led by Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Pakyong, Mr Nilkanta Bhandari, along with Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to MLA Gnathang-Machong Constituency, Mr MB Gurung; District Project Officer, Mr TR Chettri; Deputy Director, Land Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Mr Subash Dhakal; RO/AD Mr Kiran Chettri; representatives from Nalanda Engicom Pvt. Ltd.; Panchayat members; and local residents affected by the flash flood.
During the inspection, the team observed that the approach road leading to Thek Village had been severed due to the sudden surge in the Maltini River, disrupting transportation and access to the village. Despite the damage to connectivity, no casualties or major destruction to houses and private properties were reported.
However, a few houses located along the riverbank were found to be vulnerable to lateral erosion caused by the swollen river, prompting concerns about their safety amid the ongoing monsoon season. Following an on-site assessment, officials highlighted the urgent need for the construction of a protective retaining wall as an immediate mitigation measure to safeguard the affected households and prevent further erosion.
The team also inspected the hanging bridge across the river and found it to be in a dilapidated condition, requiring urgent repairs to ensure the safety of school-going children and villagers who depend on it for daily movement.
During interactions with the affected residents, SDM Pakyong Mr Nilkhanta Bhandari assured immediate assistance for relief and restoration works, stating that necessary steps would be taken to restore connectivity and strengthen preventive measures in the area.
Meanwhile, representatives from Nalanda Engicom Pvt. Ltd. assured support for restoration activities by providing cement and fuel for JCB operations wherever required. Considering the vulnerability of the area during the monsoon season, the company was also directed to suspend all cutting, dumping, and excavation activities until September 2026.
Further, Panchayat members were advised to appoint local informants at the construction site to closely monitor and promptly report any earth-cutting or dumping activities that may pose risks to downstream areas. Officials stressed that community vigilance and coordinated efforts would play a crucial role in minimising disaster-related risks during the monsoon period.
