Khotang, September 25

Sixty-six persons from nine families of Suntale VDC in Khotang, who were displaced by landslides, have yet to return to their houses.

The landslide victims have been sheltering in the local Janachetana Primary School.

Family members of Chandrimaya Magar, Karna Bahadur Magar, Kul Bahadur Magar, Bishnu Maya Magar, Gode Magar, Chhabilal Magar, Rana Bahadur Magar, Maita Singh Magar, and Govinda Tamang were displaced by landslides.

Yubraj Magar, a local, said that the victims go to their houses and do some work during the day and return to the school in the evening.

Yubraj said that land in the affected areas have developed deep cracks, and some houses in the area tilt dangerously, while others are close to collapse. “There is no option but to resettle the victims to safer places,” he said.

He added that children and the elderly have been affected the most.

DSP at District Police Office, Khotang Nabin Kishwor Pradhan said that a police team has been deployed from Hukkajore Police Post to rescue the victims. DSP Pradhan informed that security personnel had helped the victims shift their belongings to safer places.

Locals in the affected areas were reportedly suggested to shift to safer places after the land began to develop cracks last year.

But the locals were compelled to stay in the risky area as they did not have the option or financial means to abandon their homes and move.

The District Disaster Rescue Committee had distributed relief such as rice, blankets, and some cash to the victims last year after their houses were damaged by landslides.

Houses belonging to Bhupajit Tamang, Danda Tamang, Damber Tamang, Sarke Tamang, Sher Bahadur Tamang, Shiva Tamang, Padam Tamang, and Man Bahadur Tamang are at high risk.