Hundreds of earthquake victims living in the quake-ravaged settlements of northern Dhading are in a dilemma over reconstruction of new houses in the landslide-prone areas.

Though 300 quake-affected families of seven villages received the first instalment of housing reconstruction aid, the quake survivors are unable to build houses as the settlements are at risk of landslides.

Most of the quake-affected families are still staying under the temporary huts. Prem Tamang, a quake survivor from Ree-5, said they could not find a safe plot of land around the area to build new houses. “The government should provide land plots or recommend us to build houses in the same landslide-prone areas,” he said.  

The Home Ministry had decided to shift seven quake-hit settlements of northern Dhading to safer locations after the devastating quake of April 25, 2015. The residents of Chapagchet and Chundrang villages of Lapa VDC, Gamrang, Richet, Kichet, Karanag and Andar villages of Ree VDC were identified as highly vulnerable. These villages had witnessed several landslides in the wake of last year’s quake.

Assistant Chief District Officer Liladhar Adhikari said geologists should study and recommend them to relocate victims after assessing the risks. “The plan has been delayed as we have difficulty in finding suitable places for resettlement,” he said.

Locals have repeatedly requested the District Administration Office (DAO) to relocate them to a safer location. “But the National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) has not paid attention to send geologists to conduct risk assessment on time despite our notification to them,” Adhikari lamented.