BAJURA, JULY 28
The landslide triggered by incessant rainfall displaced seven families of Dhalkadanda of Gaumul Rural Municipality, in Bajura last night. According to Gaumakl Rural Municipality Vice-chair Sita Thapa the landslide buried the houses of Man Bahadur Bohora, Basant Bohora, Jhakrii Bohora, Afilal Bohora, and Bijrit Bohora at Dhalkadanda.
The displaced families are sheltering in the houses and sheds of other local people. The landslide has put houses that developed cracks during the earthquakes at great risk.
Bajura has experienced a total of eleven earthquakes within a year. According to the National Seismological Centre, Bajura has had the highest number of earthquakes compared to any other district.
A previous earthquake that struck on the 24 January 2023 resulted in the death of one person in Gauamul Rural Municipality.
Himali Rural Municipality and Gauamul Rural Municipality were among the worst affected.
Gauamul Rural Municipality has around 1,650 households, out of which 570 are at high risk. All 570 families have been displaced.
Similarly, in Himali Rural Municipality as well, 40 per cent of the houses are at high risk. Budhinanda Municipality and Badimalika Municipality are also facing a situation where many houses are at risk. Due to frequent earthquakes in Bajura, the residents live in fear. Chief Administrative Officer of Himali Rural Municipality, Raj Bahadur Bhandari, mentioned that on some nights, people are compelled to spend their time outside, under the open sky, due to the fear of earthquake.
According to Pushkar Khadka, Bajura's chief district officer, while Gauamul and Himali Rural municipalities are the most affected areas, a total of nine municipalities in Bajura are also facing risks.
A version of this article appears in the print on July 29, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.
