Himalayan News Service

Hetauda, February 14:

The residents of a flood victims’ settlement in the forest of Ramantar at Manhari VDC are facing an acute shortage of drinking water. The settlement, which was created last July, has 1,000 houses but not a single tap.

“The shortage of drinking water has forced us to use the rivulet that is also the source of water for animals,” the settlers complained adding that even to fetch that water they have to queue up for hours.

Sonamshree Lama, chairman of the Flood Victims’ Coordination Committee (FVCC), said: “The people have no option than to share the water source with the animals.”

Stating that his committee was looking for donors’ support to manage the settlement, Lama said, “If they get construction materials, the people will do the rest of the work”.

“The rivulet is also drying up. It means the people will be spending hours to fetch water from the Rapti and Manhari rivers,” Lama expressed his concern.

FVCC member Harichandra Shah said the whole settlement was facing problems. The paths leading to the houses are a mess because they were built without any plans.

The settlement accommodates the people from the VDCs of Kankada, Raksirang, Khairang, Sarikhet, Kalikatar, Manhari and Handikhola who were displaced by floods in the last four years.

The FVCC established a primary school last month. Lama said they had not been approached by any governmental or non-governmental organisation. “Our plea for help is falling into deaf ears.”

“People know that they may suffer from health problems due to lack of safe drinking water but they have no alternatives,” Kamal Chandra Suman, FVCC advisor, said.