Three landslide-displaced families in Phungling Municipality-8, Taplejung, have constructed temporary houses at the same landslide-prone location.

Thirteen families were displaced when a landslide struck the area in September 2016. However, three families have returned to the site of disaster and are currently living there. They are well aware that the place is no longer safe.  

“We are daily wage workers and most of our jobs are based around this place. We tried living elsewhere by renting rooms, but it was difficult for us to make the daily trips back and forth,” said Raj Kumar Magar. “We have been living in temporary huts, and if another landslide should occur we will move out again.”

Janga Mukhiya, a local man, said though he sympathised with the problem described by Magar, it was a dangerous idea to live in a landslide-prone area.

 “The local administration should take the initiative to shift them to safer location,” he said.

Chief District Officer Nar Bahadur Khadka said a resettlement proposal was already sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs. “We are still waiting for the ministry to reply,” he said.