National
Displaced demand resettlement
Landslide-hit people in Taplejung district are facing a tough time finding a location for resettlement as the landslips have rendered most villages in the affected area unsafe.Ananda Gautam
The survivors said they are living in constant fear as the area has developed cracks all over.
Following the landslides, around 160 households have been displaced from Liwang, Khamlung, Santhakra, Khokling and Thinglabu, among other VDCs. Currently, they go to local temples and chautaras (shades) when it starts raining. “Around 300 villagers gather at a place fearing landslides during rain,” said Mana Maya Khadka of Khokling-1.
The displaced people have demanded that the government settle them in safer locations, arguing that the recent landslips are just the continuation of the landslides in 1990 and 1968.
Thirty-eight people died and 23 others are still missing as the triggered by incessant rainfall swept away a number of settlements in Thinglabu, Liwang, Lingtep, Khokling and Santhakra VDCs on June 10.
Nepal Army, police and Armed Police Force personnel are still searching for the missing people. Chief District Officer Damaru Prasad Niraula said more than 150 rescuers were mobilised in the area to find the missing on Tuesday. The rescuers said it was very difficult to continue search work as the cattle buried in the landslides have started decaying. The District Disaster Management Committee said relief materials have been provided to the landslide survivors in all the affected villages and that it has been assessing the damage.