KATHMANDU: Floods in the Daramkhola river have destroyed paddy fields in Galkot Municipality, Baglung, just as farmers were preparing for the harvest season. The disaster has caused significant damage to crops and fertile agricultural land in the region.

Purushottam Gautam, a local farmer from Galkot-9, reported that the floods washed away his land, which typically produced 18 muri of paddy. ‘The floods wiped out the land completely, leaving no trace behind. It is heartbreaking to see the land inherited from our ancestors turn into a riverbed,’ he said. Another farmer, Tekraj Sharma from Timurbot, stated that his four ropanis of land, which yielded 12 muri of paddy, were also eroded by the floods.

Ward Chair Tej Bahadur Thapa noted that areas including Timurbot, Brahamuri, Jhetung, and Sayamuri were severely affected. According to Thapa, 135 families in the ward have been impacted, with many losing their primary agricultural land. He added that the ward office is currently collecting damage reports to facilitate relief efforts. In Galkot-3, Ward Chair Pham Khatri reported that approximately 20 ropanis of land were damaged by the flooding.

Mayor Bharat Sharma Gaire stated that the floods damaged 22 houses and sheds, as well as several commercial structures. The municipality has decided to provide relief of Rs 4,000 per ropani to farmers whose paddy fields were destroyed. ‘We are providing compensation ranging from Rs 4,000 to Rs 16,000 for the damage caused to paddy crops,’ Gaire said. He added that efforts are ongoing to assess the full extent of the damage and provide further support.

Heavy rainfall between Sept. 24 and Sept. 27 triggered floods and landslides across most local levels in Baglung district. The disasters have resulted in 13 deaths and extensive physical damage throughout the district.