Khotang victims demand rehabilitation

KHOTANG: The flood victims of Khidima, Khotang, on Wednesday demanded that the government rehabilitate them.

More than a dozen families were displaced due to a flood triggered by incessant rainfall in the locality on Saturday night. The affected families reached the District Administration Office and demanded rehabilitation at the earliest.

“We lost our houses, land, foodstuffs, and cattle when the flooded river swept them away four days ago, our key concern is our rehabilitation,” said Yuba Raj Katuwal, head teacher of a local school.

A team of victims, led by VDC Secretary Jagannath Phuyal, requested the authority to repair the damaged hydropower, bridges, rural roads, drinking water, playground and other infrastructure besides rehabilitating them.

The victims urged all development agencies, political leaders, and the administration to reconstruct and rehabilitate them.

Area Police Office, Mattim, informed that infrastructure worth around 125 million rupees was damaged when the flooded Tawakhola hit its vicinity.

The delegation also appealed to manage shelter for the families of Mahendra Rai, Dil Kumar Rai, Birtaman Rai, and Agamser Rai of Khidima, who have been displaced.

The locals met CDO Govinda Sapkota and demanded that roads, powerhouses, canal, 17 KW Tawakhola, 9.5 KW Khobukhola, 5 KW Hawakhola, and 3 KW Kiwakhola micro hydro power projects of the district be repaired. Bridges linking Khidima 7 and 8, Khidima 3 and 8, as well as Khidima 7 and 9 have been completely damaged due to the flood, said local Mani Kumar Rai.