Landslides threaten Kalikot villages

KALIKOT: Three villages of Kalikot district face the risk of being swept away by landslides with the onset of monsoons. Landslides threaten Ghodena of Daha VDC, Samalgaun of Mugraha and Khadu of Ramnakot. Landslide had occurred in Ghodena last year. Eight houses were buried and arable land was swept away when a landslide hit Molpha bazaar. As many as 200 houses are at risk this year.

A similar number of houses face the risk of landslide in Samalgaun, Janak Sunjuwal, 29, a local said.

Situation in Khadu village is no better. “Landslide threatens 300 houses,” Harsha Bam, Nepali Congress district secretary said.

“Government officials inspected the three villages and claimed that the villagers in vulnerable areas will be resettled. However, no action has been taken in this connection,” he said.

As most villages in Kalikot sit on slopes, the risk of landslide during rainy season is high, locals said.

“We spent sleepless nights during the rainy season last year. It will not be any different this year, as no measures have been taken to relocate us,” Namraj Shahi of Ghodena said.

“A government team had come for field report six months ago. It had assured the villagers living in vulnerable areas of relocating them to safer places. However, the administration has not kept its word,” Alamraj Shahi, district coordinator of civil society, said.

“The home ministry has been sounded about the plight of villagers,” the District Administration Office said, adding, “It may take time, but the villagers will be shifted to safer places.”