RAMECHHAP, July 18

Authorities in Ramechhap have started relocating households from the areas that are at high risk of landslide in the aftermath of the April 25 earthquake and subsequent aftershocks to safe places, as monsoon rains are getting stronger.

Cracks have surfaced in several places in the district due to the massive quake. Chief District Officer Basudev Dahal, who is also the Coordinator of the District Natural Disaster Rescue Committee, said households from the areas at risk of landslides are being relocated.

According to Dahal, the relocation will be carried out on the basis of vulnerability of the families.

“For those who need immediate relocation, we have provided them tents and moved them safer places. The families in places which were not deemed that risky, despite being tagged highly risky earlier, have been told to stay put for the time being,” he said.

So far, 79 households of Daduwa have been shifted to safer places. CDO Dahal said tents to more than 100 families in Phulasi and Chanakhu VDCs have been distributed so that they could stay safely after relocation.

Sommaya Tamang, 67, of Megre, said she was planning to set up a temporary shelter at a nearby safe location, as she has received tent from the authorities.

The authorities had to call in security personnel at some places after some locals did not want to leave their houses. “This is our homeland where we’ve lived for ages. It is very difficult for us to leave this place despite the risk of landslips or death,” said Som Bahadur BK of Phulasi.