KATHMANDU: Chekethum, situated in Barahpokhari Rural Municipality-2 Suntale, Khotang district, is currently at risk from advancing landslides. The situation has become increasingly concerning as a landslide originating from Mastpukhola, approximately one kilometer below the village, continues to move towards Chekethum. The movement of this landslide, which has been a persistent issue for twenty-five years, has intensified in recent times.
Padam Magar, the Ward President of Barahpokhari-2, reported that residents of Chekethum are living in constant fear as the landslide progresses. Historically, landslides in this area tend to occur every August and October, with this year being particularly dangerous for the homes of Khadga Bahadur Thapamagar, Parshuram Magar, and Gopal Magar. Magar emphasized the urgency of addressing the situation to prevent the potential devastation of the entire village.
The landslide’s impact has been significant in the past; in 2015, it displaced 28 houses in the lower part of Chekethum. Of these, 26 households were able to relocate to safer areas after purchasing land from locals. However, the steep terrain of Chekethum has seen severe damage to agricultural plantations, and landslides have become more problematic as rainwater exacerbates soil erosion and collapses.
Residents have observed that landslides not occurring during the rainy season often become more severe after the rain stops and the ground heats up, leading to sudden and substantial collapses. They attribute the ongoing issues to the erosion of wetlands and kamere soils by riverbanks during the rainy season, which exacerbates the landslide problem in Chekethum.
