SP and CDO found responsible for Jhyaple Khola tragedy

Kathmandu, October 27 — Chief District Officer (CDO) Rajendra Dev Pandey and Superintendent of Police (SP) Gautam KC have been found responsible for an accident that claimed the lives of 35 people in the Jhyaple Khola of Dhading. On September 27 and 28, heavy rainfall caused landslides in Jhyaple Khola, burying two microbuses and one bus, resulting in the fatalities.

Criticism has been widespread regarding the lack of a decision to halt passenger vehicle operations in the Jhyaple Khola area during the evening hours. Inspector General of Police (IGP) Basant Kunwar formed an investigation committee led by SSP Siddhi Bikram Shah at the police headquarters' Security Services Management Division.

An official from the police headquarters informed Ratopati that the investigation has reached its final stages. The preliminary investigation revealed that the accident occurred due to a lack of "coordination" between SP Gautam KC and CDO Rajendra Dev Pandey. The investigation committee is preparing to submit its report.

According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, both SP KC and CDO Pandey were previously reassigned from the area. The investigation indicated that a "disagreement" between them resulted in a lack of planning for a response despite forecasts of continuous rainfall.

An official from the police headquarters noted that the public in Dhading was well aware of the discord between the CDO and SP. He stated, "There was no evidence that they discussed or made decisions regarding monsoon response due to their disagreements."

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority had issued a notice to stop vehicle operations along the Narayangadh-Muglin route, which was ignored. The committee led by SSP Shah has visited Dhading to conduct on-site observations and interrogate police officials.

While the District Administration Office in Chitwan had prohibited vehicle operations during heavy rainfall on the Narayangadh-Muglin road, investigations revealed that operations were continuing without interruption in the Dhading border area. An official from the Inspector General of Police's office remarked, "If the District Administration Office had made a decision to stop vehicles on the Prithvi Highway, the accident would not have occurred; however, there was no meeting due to the strained relationship between the two officials."

The local administration was also found to have failed to provide advance warnings to local residents and hotel operators in the Jhyaple Khola area. Investigations showed that after the river swelled, hotel operators left the area, preventing further accidents. Twenty-five men, nine women, and one girl lost their lives when vehicles from Gorkha and Chitwan were not stopped by the police. All victims have been identified.

The passengers included those on bus number Na.4 Kha 2270 coming from Gorkha, microbus number Ba.2 Kha 1345 coming from Chitwan, and winger vehicle number Lu.1 Ja 4577. Following the accident, Suman Ghimire has been assigned as the Chief District Officer of Dhading, and Dipendra Shahi has been appointed as the District Police Chief.