Flood victims return home in Bajura

By Sher Bahadur Sharki,Bajura, Oct. 20: The landslide victims of Bajura district who had left the village during the rainy season in July this year have started returning home.

They started returning to their homes ignoring the possible accidents as they were not rehabilitated in a safer location.

Keshe Nath of Khaptad Chhededaha Rural Municipality-6, Maitola said that after a landslide occurred near his house due to the incessant rains in July, he left his house to take refuge in a safer place. 

He said, "Even though I have been living in a tarpaulin shed for four months after leaving my house due to the fear of landslides, no arrangement has been made for a better shelter for us.” 

The victims were waiting to see if there would be any arrangement of houses or other facilities for them. Nath said that since there were no arrangements so far, he has no alternative other than returning to the house that is at the risk of landslide. 

The same disappointment is shared by many residents of Sudara, Maitola and other areas of Ward No 6. 

About 86 households in Naina, nine in Sudara and 11 in Maitola are at high risk of floods and landslides. The residents of these settlements have not been provided alternative accommodation anywhere. 

After landslides occurred above as well as below the villages, locals moved to a safer place and have been living there in tarpaulin tents provided by the local governments. The tarpaulins were the only support they received from the government and stakeholders. 

Soure Bista, a resident of Khaptad Chhededaha-6, Naina, said, "The landslide can anytime destroy their houses, but there is nowhere else to stay. That is why we have been living in this village which is at a high risk even now. I don't know when I will be buried in a landslide."

Ward Chairman of Khaptad Chhededaha-6, Harka Bahadur Bista, said that the local body has received Rs. 4.5 million from the central government for the relocation of the Naina settlement. He said, "With this amount, there is a plan to resettle the residents of Naina village in Bamnemadu and Kachala."

According to him, the people residing in the risky areas would be resettled immediately after the Tihar festival.