43 households under tarpaulins as landslides pose risk in Shailung Rural Municipality

By Nabaraj Shrestha,Ramechhap, Sept. 6: More than 48 households in various locations of Doramba Shailung Rural Municipality-1 in Ramechhap are at risk of landslides at any time. 

The landslides occurred following continuous heavy rain on the night of August 24, affecting various settlements in the ward, putting 48 households at risk.

According to Prem Kumar Lama, ward chairperson for Doramba Shailung Rural Municipality-1, the affected areas include three houses in Patle, six houses in Mangshire, two houses in Naghi, 32 houses in Thami settlement in Majhuwa Salletar, three houses in Balewa-Thami settlement, and two households in Thami settlement.

Currently, 43 households are taking shelter under tarpaulins, including 32 houses in Thami settlement in Majhuwa Salletar, three in Patle, six in Mangshire, and two in Naghi.

Ward Chairperson Lama expressed dissatisfaction that neither the municipality nor the district disaster management committee or other concerned authorities seem to be aware of the situation. 

He said, "It seems that attention is only given when human casualties occur. Although no one has died, houses are uninhabitable, so everyone is living under tarps. Some families are staying in Chihan Danda, some on the road, and some have set up tarps in the fields. Despite repeated requests, the relevant authorities have not taken notice."

Lama said that the municipality has provided some tarps to the displaced families, and some tarps have been collected locally. However, with minimal attention from concerned authorities, the ward office is considering raising funds to build temporary shelters.

According to local victim Bhim Bahadur Thami, 32 families from Thami settlement in Majhuwa Salletar are living under tarps due to the landslides following the rainfall on August 24. Thami said that the municipality and related bodies have not paid significant attention to the plight of the victims, saying, "Since the houses are uninhabitable, we are living under the tarps. How long can we live like this with tarps strung up on hills, fields, and roads? This situation is adding to our problems. We need to relocate our settlement, but no one seems to care."

Suman Thokar, a victim from Mangshire, also said that the authorities have not shown significant concern for the management and relief for the landslide victims. He said that six households in Mangshire are at risk, and those affected are living under the tarps. He said, "The landslides have devastated six households in Mangshire. The concerned agencies that should be more responsible have not been seen to act."

According to the victims, Doramba Shailung Rural Municipality has so far provided eight sacks of rice, two sacks of beaten rice, two cartons of edible oil, and some tarps for the affected individuals. The Red Cross Ramechhap has also provided some relief materials including tarps to the victims in certain areas.

Anita Niraula, Chief District Officer of Ramechhap and Coordinator of the District-level Disaster Management, said that general relief and temporary shelter arrangements are being made by the ward and municipality levels. 

She said, "There have been reports that various settlements in Doramba Shailung Rural Municipality-1, 2, and 3 are at risk of landslides. An expert team needs to be deployed to study these settlements for long-term management.” 

"We have requested the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority for necessary arrangements," CDO Niraula said.