Monsoon rains render over a dozen families homeless in Bajura

By Our Correspondent,Bajura, July 22: Over a dozen families in Bajura district have been rendered homeless after monsoon-induced disasters like landslides and floods damaged their houses.

Since mid-April this year, heavy rains in Bajura have caused the collapse of many locals' houses, resulting in their displacement, according to victims.

One local, Bhikari Nath from Khaptad Chhededah Rural Municipality-6, Maitola, said that they were displaced after a landslide fell over their house on Saturday night.

He said, "Last year, I managed to build a house by taking a loan. This year, the continuous heavy rain on Saturday night destroyed it again, and now I'm worried about rebuilding  a new home."

"The landslide has destroyed our shelter; there is no place to stay. It's very concerning where to spend the nights during this rainy season," Nath added.

During this monsoon, most locals in the hilly and sloped areas of Bajura were facing significant problems as incidents of landslides have increased significantly. 

They still fear staying inside their homes due to the increasing risk of landslides and stay outside the whole night when it rains, Nath said. 

Harka Bahadur Bista, ward chairman of Khaptad Chhededah Rural Municipality, said that they were currently providing tarpaulins for temporary shelters to those displaced by the continuous heavy rains.

He said, "Currently, the police are documenting the damaged and at-risk houses. After the documentation, it will be sent to the District Disaster Management Committee for relief."

Deputy Superintendent of Police Dilip Kumar Giri from the District Police Office Bajura, said that, so far, nine houses have been destroyed, and seven others have been partially damaged.

He said that two persons were also injured, and 28 sheep and goats died after the houses collapsed.

DSP Giri said that due to the high risk of floods and landslides during the monsoon season, they have been informing locals of the vulnerable settlements to stay in safe places.

"We have informed the respective municipality to manage alternative or safe shelters for the immediate relocation of those at risk," said DSP Giri.