Kathmandu, KATHMANDU, AUG 18 - At least 98 people have been killed in incidents of flood and landslide across the county since Thursday, according to the Ministry of Home Affairs. The National Emergency Operations Centre stated on Sunday that 37 people were injured in monsoon-related disasters while 129 have gone missing in the past four days. As many as 328 houses were destroyed with 145 others damaged partially. A total of 11,584 houses were inundated by floods and 12,750 families displaced. Surkhet is the worst hit district with 28 deaths, 98 missing persons, 379 houses swept away and 1,700 families displaced. In Bardiya, at least 17 people have been killed, 3,837 houses inundated and 7,000 families displaced. In Banke, five people have died, 6,364 houses were flooded and 2,005 families rendered homeless. Twenty five districts, mostly in far-western and mid-western regions, saw most destruction due to floods and mudslides triggered by heavy downpours. Over 18,000 people were rescued. The Sunkoshi disaster in Sindhupalchok on August 2 killed more than 150 people while rescue officials are still looking for bodies buried in a massive landslide. According to Home Ministry, 12 injured in Jajarkot and Rolpa were airlifted to Surkhet and Dang for treatment. Over 17,000 families displaced by landslides and inundation were rescued by government agencies and Red Cross and with help from local organisations. They have been sheltered in camps at schools and community buildings. Some are staying with their relatives. Beaten rice, noodles, biscuits, sugar, water and water purifier solutions were distributed for the 5,000 victims in Surkhet, 6,000 in Bardiya and 6,334 in Banke districts on Sunday. Flooring tarpaulin, tents, blankets, utensils and medical kits were distributed in affected areas. “Attempts are under way to reconnect damaged sections of highways,” the ministry stated. Outbreaks of cholera and other diseases are feared in affected areas, compounded by the government’s lack of preparedness for another untoward situation. “We have made all necessary medical arrangements in probable areas,” said Yadav Koirala, chief of the Natural Disaster Division at the ministry. In a sharp contrast to the massive loss of properties and lives, the ministry has distributed a meagre Rs 706,000 in relief. The distribution was in Rukum and Dang districts. Koirala said three helicopters have been put on stand-by in Surkhet for rescue and aid distribution. “We have been providing food and tents in Banke, Bardiya and Dang districts. Relief distribution is expected to ease from Monday due to receding rivers,” he said. Some 2,000 rescue workers including Army and police personnel, and social workers are deployed in disaster zones. Bad weather has hampered their efforts. Victims left high and dry; Rescue, relief elusive in areas 4 days after disaster Four days after floods started devastating villages, killing people and displacing families, the government has failed to rescue victims urgently and provide relief materials promptly. The displaced people are taking shelter under the open sky in dire conditions. They are deprived of food and safe drinking water, and face disease outbreak threats. Children and the elderly are hit the hardest. People of Hariharpur in Surkhet said no state agency has reached the village for rescue or relief operations. “We expected relief materials to arrive on Friday but no help has come by till Sunday,” said Gangaram Bista, who survived the disaster by climbing up a tree when the Bheri river flooded his settlement on Thursday night. Ten villagers have gone missing and property worth millions of rupees, including 200 houses, was destroyed. Around 200 families have been displaced from Tatapani and Babiyachaur. A local teacher said they find it hard to distribute relief materials dropped by a helicopter on Saturday evening in the lack of security. He rued that efforts had not been made to rescue 29 people missing from Tatapani. Tatapani VDC Secretary Om Chapai said only four policemen were deployed for rescue operation. Chief District Officer Dil Bahadur Ghimire said rescue efforts have been hampered by their inability to fly helicopters “freely”. Flood-displaced people in Banke’s Phattepur VDC are helpless and “forced to eat rotten food”. The Bardiya District Administration Office said they are distributing noodles and biscuits to the displaced people. According to Bardiya CDO Tej Prasad Poudel, three helicopters ferried relief materials to areas inaccessible by roads. Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Bam Dev Gautam has admitted to the delay in rescue and relief operations. Gautam reached Nepalgunj, Banke, on Sunday to take stock of the situation. Joint Regional Administrator Raj Kumar Shrestha said they are struggling to launch a rescue operation in the lack of helicopters. Epidemic threat in flooded areas The threat of an epidemic outbreak looms large in flood affected districts of the mid-western region. According to our local correspondents, displaced people have started complaining of diarrhoea and fever in Banke, Bardiya and Surkhet districts. Achyut Lamichhane, chief of the Bardiya District Public Health Office, said contaminated water threatens people’s health. Health centres in Daulatpur, Baganaha and Padanaha VDCs have been damaged by floodwaters. The home minister said 38 health camps would be set up in the affected areas. Security fears In another nuisance, people displaced by floods and landslides in Dang and Banke districts complain that their belongings are being stolen. They have started salvaging their belongings from the rubble to prevent their theft. Binod Pandey of Phulbari VDC-6 in Dang, whose house crumbled to floodwaters, said the victims have demanded security of their goods.