Manthali, October 17
Seventy-seven households in Sunapati Rural Municipality, Ramechhap, are at high risk of landslides. Residents of four settlements in Ward No. 3 have been affected and have demanded immediate relocation to safer areas after landslides began dragging down entire neighborhoods.
The affected settlements — Keureni, Saune, Nagasiva, and Chyamdung — have faced small landslides for years, but the continuous rainfall from October 3 to 5 has made the situation worse. Some houses have already collapsed, and many others have developed deep cracks and are on the verge of collapse. Despite the rain stopping for two days, the landslides continue.
The landslides are shifting the terrain downward each day. According to Vice Chairperson Gita Bisht, efforts are underway to relocate the residents to safer areas and provide them with relief assistance.
Locals have urged the authorities to arrange temporary housing immediately, saying it is no longer possible to live in the area. Victim Sita Khadka said the community must be permanently relocated to a safe site.
Although the rural municipality has asked residents not to stay in the area at night, many have no alternative shelter. Local resident Min Bahadur Khatri said the area was listed as a landslide-prone zone as early as 1978. Some residents were relocated back then, but new settlements later emerged in the same place. Victim Roz Thing said they cannot leave because their only land and property are located there.
Chief Administrative Officer Suresh Kumar Shrestha said a committee led by Ward Chairperson Kul Bahadur Thing has identified the affected households and that arrangements are being made for their relief and resettlement.
Officials warn that without immediate relocation and permanent resettlement, there is a high risk of significant loss of life and property.
