Landslide victims happy after getting safe new houses

By Rajan Rawat,Humla, Nov. 13: The families displaced by a landslide in Tanjakot Rural Municipality-4, Humla, four years ago are finally happy to have moved into safe and permanent homes.

Earlier, residents of Uttisyani and Kharra villages used to live in fear during the monsoon, as frequent landslides forced them to take turns watching over the village at night. Now, after the construction of new housing in a safer location, they are living without fear.

Parirmal Damai, a resident of Kharra, said he now feels secure after moving into his new two-storey, six-room house. “We used to spend sleepless nights fearing landslides, but now we live safely and comfortably,” he said.

The new settlement includes modern houses equipped with toilets and other facilities. Damai expressed gratitude to the Karnali Province Government and the rural municipality for helping to make their lives safer. Similarly, another local, Amar Sarki, said he had never imagined living such a secure life. Remembering the landslide that hit their village four years ago, he said, “We are now resettled in a much safer place thanks to the government’s support.” He contributed 20 per cent of the total cost to build his new home.

According to Lalakesh Jaishi, Chairperson of Tanjakot Rural Municipality, 50 new houses with a common design have been built in Uttisyani and Kharra settlements. Each household contributed 20 per cent of the construct ion cost, while the Karnali Province Government and the rural municipality jointly invested about Rs. 800,000 per house over two years.

Besides housing, the project also includes the construction of toilets, drinking water facilities and roads. Although their previous settlement was vulnerable to landslides and earthquakes, the new settlement is considered safe, Jaishi said.