Disaster-hit families of Bajura fear harsh winter

By Sher Bahadur Sarki,Bajura, Nov.2: With temperatures dropping in the high mountainous region of Bajura, flood and landslide victims in Bichhiya and Rugin of Himali Rural Municipality have grown increasingly anxious about the coming winter.

The floods that struck Bichhiya Khola on the night of August 13 displaced around 41 families from the Ward. Nos-1 and 5. Since then, they have been living under tarpaulin shelters.

Even during summer, the area remains cold, and now locals fear how they will survive the freezing winter months in makeshift tents.

“It’s already getting colder. During the rainy season, it was bearable somehow, but now the temperature is dropping fast. I’m worried about how my family will survive this under tarpaulins,” said Sabbale Thapa of Bichhiya.

Local authorities have so far provided relief materials, including food, clothes, and tarpaulins. However, Thapa said that both the provincial and federal governments should arrange proper housing to help the victims cope with the cold.

According to the Himali Rural Municipality, the floods washed away eight houses and put nine others at high risk in Ward No.1 Bichhiya. In Ward No. 5 Kawadi, 16 houses were swept away and 32 were completely destroyed, leaving 41 families fully displaced.

“We have provided as much help as we could, distributing rice, salt, oil, and tarpaulins immediately after the disaster,” said Govinda Bahadur Malla, chairperson of Himali Rural Municipality. 

“But building houses requires a large budget, which we have requested from the provincial and federal governments,” he added. 

Chief District Officer Ganesh Prasad Paudel said that the District Disaster Management Committee has already held a meeting and written to the Ministry of Home Affairs, seeking support for the reconstruction and resettlement of the affected families in Bichchhya and Rugin.

Many families in other areas of Bajura also remain displaced by earlier landslides. While some have received housing assistance, many are still waiting for support.