Jajarkot, August 23
Temporary shelters are being constructed by clearing maize fields in Risang of Bheri Municipality-2, Jajarkot, to accommodate families displaced by floods and landslides.
A total of 168 households comprising 897 people who have lost their homes or are at risk from landslides will be accommodated in temporary shelters being constructed around Risang School, an area above the school and Kalyanpur.
The shelters are being built using tents, tarpaulins and plastic sheets to ensure that displaced families do not have to stay under the open sky during the monsoon.
Some of the land selected for the shelters was being used for maize cultivation. Locals said the crops were cleared before they could be harvested after landslides put homes in the area at risk and temporary accommodation became an immediate priority.
A technical team from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) identified the three locations as suitable for temporary shelters following an on-site assessment.
The team assessed factors including landslide risks, terrain, drainage and road access before identifying locations where the affected families could be housed safely for the time being.
As three locations have been selected, local authorities have also begun arranging the required land. In some areas, maize fields are being cleared and levelled before tents are installed.
The displaced families are being divided among three locations as it is not possible to accommodate such a large number of people in a single site.
According to Chief District Officer Khadananda Adhikari, an agreement has already been reached between landowners and Bheri Municipality to rent land for the temporary shelters.
The municipality will bear the cost of renting the land. Adhikari said the construction was being carried out in coordination with the local government, District Administration Office and the disaster management authority.
“Ensuring the affected families are moved to a safe place immediately is our priority,” he said. “Following the field assessment, we identified three locations with lower risks and are constructing temporary shelters there.”
Four killed, 10 injured in Risang landslide
A large number of people have been displaced following the landslide in Risang. Four people have died and 10 others have been injured in the disaster.
Several houses and other structures have also been damaged, leaving affected families in urgent need of safe accommodation.
The risk of further landslides remains high due to continued rainfall, and the local administration has said it is not safe for displaced families to return to their vulnerable homes.
Along with shelter construction, authorities face challenges in arranging drinking water, toilets, electricity, healthcare, food and sanitation for the displaced families.
As a large number of people will be staying in temporary settlements, maintaining sanitation and health services will also be crucial to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
Landslide blocks Risang-Kushe road
Meanwhile, the landslide in Risang has disrupted road connectivity with Kushe Rural Municipality.
The road connecting Risang to Kushe has been blocked, effectively cutting off the rural municipality’s main access route, according to local authorities.
The obstruction has also affected the transportation of daily essentials, food and other emergency supplies.
Kushe Rural Municipality Chairperson Harichandra Basnet said the area was facing a situation similar to a blockade due to the natural disaster.
“The main road to Kushe has been blocked due to the natural disaster,” he said. “This has started causing problems in the supply of food and other essential goods.”
The floods and landslides have also damaged drinking water infrastructure.
Drinking water supply in Jajarkot district headquarters has been disrupted after landslides washed away water pipelines. Locals said consumers have been unable to receive adequate water following the damage to the pipeline.
The disaster has therefore created multiple problems across the district, including displacement, road blockages and disruption of drinking water services.
Authorities are now under pressure to accelerate relief and rescue operations while restoring roads and damaged water infrastructure.
Displaced residents of Risang, meanwhile, say they cannot remain in temporary tents for an extended period. They have called for immediate safe shelter as well as long-term rehabilitation in safer locations.
Locals say returning to their original settlements is not currently feasible as the risk of landslides remains.
They have urged all three levels of government to improve coordination and expedite relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in the affected areas.
