Heaviest rainfall in 5 years blamed for Lumle landslide

POKHARA, August 4: The 289mm rainfall on Wednesday night last week at Lumle of Kaski was the heaviest in the district in the last five years, according to meteorologists.

"That explains why there was such a massive landslide," said meteorologist Anil Kumar Shah. "No wonder the landslide claimed so many lives."As per the meteorological forecasting division of the western region, the last time Lumle received such a heavy shower was on July 22 of 2010 when the rainfall was recorded at 218mm.

"Although the rainfall in 2010 was nearly as heavy as the recent one, it was spread throughout the day to reach the measured amount," said Shah, adding, "In the recent case, however, it took just four hours to reach the record rainfall. The severity of landslide would have been far less had it taken more time to reach the measured quantity."

According to Shah, 50mm rainfall in a span of 24 hours is considered normal in the hill region. "People in hilly areas should remain alert if the measurement crosses 50mm as it greatly increases chances of landslides," he informed.

Shree Kamal Dwibedi, senior divisional engineering geologist at the Department of Water Induced Disaster Prevention, said, "The rainfall was so heavy that grounds couldn't absorb it, causing the lands to give way."

Lumle receives the highest rainfall in the whole country. The place records almost 2,000mm rainfall during the monsoon.

Despite the high risks associated with heavy rains, no precautionary measures have been adopted at Lumle. Although the area has the equipment to measure rainfall, locals complained that lack of pre-information and warning have cost them dearly in the past monsoons as well.

"It would've been better if the government sets up technology here to give timely warning to locals before the disaster could take place," said Yamlal Devkota, a local.

Chief of meteorological forecasting division of Western Region, Raja Ram Dhakal, also acknowledged the need for a pre-warning system. "We should learn lessons from the recent disaster and bring pre-warning technology," he said. "We'll take initiatives to push for the technology."

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