Displaced earthquake survivors in Salyantar of upper Dhading are grappling with a shortage of drinking water caused by a pipeline disruption. Also, some of the local sources of water dried up after the April 25 earthquake.

After the quake survivors moved to Salyantar in the hope of receiving land, they are facing difficulties fetching drinking water. Sarbatjit Tamang said they had shifted from a well-managed camp at Sankosh, which is near the district headquarters, in the hope of getting land in the Salyantar area. Firewood is also scarce in the new camp. There were rumours that the government could distribute four ropani land to each displaced family if they moved to Salyantar.

Residents of Salyantar get piped water from a source in the neighbouring Aginchowk VDC. Krishna Burlakoti, treasurer of the Salyantar Drinking Water Project, said they cannot provide water to all the households as the scheme has the capacity for only 1,000 individuals. There are around 11,000 households in Salyantar now.

Treasurer Burlakoti said the damaged projects have yet to be repaired. As many as 94 displaced households spend up to three hours daily just to fetch water, said Durkimaya Tamang, 40. Another problem facing the new settlers is the bone-chilling cold in the camp. Another displaced, Deumaya Tamang said they need to reach as far as Aakhu Khola early in the morning for potable water.

Nara Bahadur Tamang complained of the local authorities’ apathy for their plight. He said they were told to live in an area where water and firewood are available. Some are so desperate that they collect dewdrops from their tents.

Relief rice rots at DDC godown in Manthali

Tika Prasad Bhatta (Ramechhap)

As earthquake survivors languish in their temporary huts, parboiled rice meant for them have started rotting at the godown of District Development Committee in Manthali, district headquarters of Ramechhap.

About 400 sacks of rice have been stored since the past eight months. The rice has been infested by weevils and other pests.

The rice which was kept in the cold floor of the warehouse started to rot due to the carelessness of the DDC staffs, coordinator of Ramechhap Citizen Forum Ramchandra Biyogi said.

“As the rice was not properly stored, it got infested,” Biyogi said. He added that rice which is ready to be consumed should be should be soon distributed to the quake victims.

Two weeks ago, the meeting of the District Disaster Management Committee (DDMC) had decided to distribute the rice to the quake survivors in the district. However, the rice has not reached the affected area yet.

Chief District Officer Shesh Narayan Paudel said they called VDC staffs to collect the relief but no one came. Quake survivor Karnaman Tamang said they have been compelled to stay empty stomach. “Majority of quake victims are constructing road in the dense sleet for managing two square meals a day. We are reeling under an acute shortage of food stuffs,” said Karnaman.

The DDMC stored the rice which was meant to be distributed in quake-affected areas immediately after the disaster.  DDMC has already distributed some rice to the unprivileged community, Hayu, Thami and Pahari in the district. However, rice kept in sacks have started to rot in the warehouse.