Solukhumbu landslip puts 50 houses in peril

Khotang, July 17:

Fifty houses in Gairigaun of Kagel village development committee of Solukhumbu district are at the risk of being swept away by landslide triggered by incessant rainfall.

"As debris has been flowing from approximately 200 metres above the houses, landslide may sweep us away anytime," the locals said.

Assistant chief district officer of Solukhumbu district Bednidhi Khanal said the houses adjoining the Kagel airport were at the risk of being swept away by the landslide. He said the unmanaged sewer of the airport was also to blame for the landslide.

"We have requested the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation several times to provide compensation to the affected families, to no avail," he said.

"Cracks have developed in our houses and lower parts of our houses are getting filled with debris flowing with sewer," Cholindra Karki, an affected villager, said.

Though locals have requested the District Administration Office to initiate preventive measures and properly manage the airport, the DAO has not responded.

The affected have also demanded that they be shifted to safer areas and just compensation paid for their land and property.