No end in sight to plight of Saptari flood victims

Rajbiraj, August 21

Children in Dalit settlements of Bishnupur Rural Municipality in Saptari are in dire need of relief materials, as they have lost their houses along with clothes and food grains in the recent floods in the district.

The hapless children, along with their parents, have been taking shelter in makeshift tents on the roadside. They are just surviving on food items such as noodles, biscuits, and beaten rice provided by different organisations.

Dilip Sada, a victim, said he lost everything in the flood. “How can I manage clothes for my children when I am struggling for daily meals?” he said.

Flood victims said children in Dalit settlements had no food to eat and no clothes to wear. They complained that the government had paid no attention to their plight.

Puran Sada, another victim, said the flood victims were in desperate need of government relief and rehabilitation.

As many as 40 homeless families from Dalit settlements have been taking refuge at a local school and community buildings. Some of them are living under the open sky. Reports said a total of 3,990 families had been displaced due to floods in local rivers in the district.