Nepal

Landslide displaces 100 families

Landslide displaces 100 families

By Binod Thapa

Achham, June 29:

Landslide triggered by a week-long downpour has displaced some 100 families in Kaptad and Devisthan VDCs in Achham.

Eighty-three families of Balyalta were displaced to Bhotedanda and 15 families of Guta were displaced to Pudu, locals said, adding they were taking shelter in tents. It’s third year in a row that landslide struck the are aand the affected are seeking transfer to a safer place.

In August, 2006, as many as 697 people of 122 families were hit by a terrible landslide.

A team of geologists had suggested shifting the people to safer places but nothing has been done in that regard yet, Anga Kadayat, a Natural Disaster Rescue Committee member said.

“We are living in camps, leaving the village to save our lives,” Dambar Rawal said, adding, “The rich have left the village for good, but we poor could do nothing.” He said 15 Kaptad families and seven Devisthan families had moved to other places.

The displaced are also facing food shorage.

“Those with money bring rice from Sanfebagar, but, we are forced to live on wild roots and fruits,” Harka Rawal said, adding they had not got any work for wages.

Shaileshwori Primary School at Kaptad and Bhanudaya Primary School at Devisthan are running classes in tents for 250 students.