The landslide survivors living in rural parts of Rapti Municipality in Chitwan have complained that the government has not sent any help or relief even a month after the disaster.

Landslides have displaced several families in Santhali, Sarling and Shyamrang villages. Some families are still living in homes that were damaged by landslides while the others have moved to jerry-built shelters. They have little to food to sustain themselves, no warm clothes and no clean drinking water.

Destruction of farmlands with ready-to-harvest crops, drinking water pipelines and rural roads have added to the sufferings of the landslide survivors, according to Aita Bahadur Chepang, the ward member of Rapti Municipality-13.

“With the roads damaged in many areas, reaching the landslide-affected areas is difficult,” said Aita Bahadur, adding that it takes at least three days to reach the farthest landslide-hit village from Bharatpur, the district headquarters.

Landslides triggered by this year’s monsoon have endangered all three villages, whose inhabitants are predominantly from the indigenous Chepang community.  

The families who were spared by the disaster are also not safe now, said Surya Bahadur Chepang, the ward chairman of Rapti Municipality-13.

“The landslides have put almost all houses at risk, but help has not arrived yet. I have already informed the municipal office about the condition of the flood-displaced families and the safety concern of the villages, but to no avail,” Surya Bahadur said.

“The festival season is around the corner and many families in Santhali, Sarling and Shyamarang are living like destitutes,” he added.