Rajbiraj, September 9

Around three dozen families of flood victims have been sheltering in makeshift tents in Hanumannagar Kankalini Municipality, Saptari, for the past two weeks.

As many as 400 houses were inundated after flood in the Koshi River entered human settlements in Wards No 5, 6, 7, 10 and 12 of the municipality on August 28.

As many as 36 flood victim families, who have been taking shelter in tents erected on the dam of the river, have yet to return to their houses. “We are in continuous fear of flood,” said a victim, Shvawati Khatun, of the municipality. She added that they had no option but to take shelter in tents due to high risk of flood. “We do not have courage to return to our houses as the rainy season is still not over,” she said.

Another victim, Dhruba Raya, said that they were compelled to spend many sleepless nights fearing flood and inundation.

Most of the people taking shelter in makeshift tents erected on the dam site are landless squatters. They have been living on the land near the Koshi River.

Indrish Ali, a local, said they should be shifted to safer places. He complained that the government and the municipality did not pay any attention to their problems. Ali said the flood victims had received nothing besides two to four kg rice and a tent. The flood victims have requested the authorities concerned to relocate then to a safer place.

Meanwhile, Mayor Sailesh Sah said the municipality had been taking initiative to shift the settlements to the eastern side from the western.