Photo Courtesy: Dipak Saud Residents of Tamsu in Triveni Municipality-9, Bajura, leave their homes and live under tarpaulins due to the looming risk of landslides.
By Our Correspondent,Bajura, Aug. 17: Locals of Tamsu village in Triveni Municipality-9, Bajura, have begun leaving their homes and taking shelter in tents after a landslide put the entire settlement at risk.
The landslide, triggered by incessant rainfall on the night of Aug. 13, forced locals to leave their homes to save their lives.
The landslide has caused extensive cracks in the settlement, affecting the Saud and Sarki Mijar neighbourhoods of Bangapata as well as Tamsu village.
Locals are too afraid to stay in their homes, as even light rainfall can trigger further landslides from above. They have therefore begun living under tarpaulins instead.
Some locals believe that road construction carried out both above and below the village during the winter contributed to the landslides.
With the monsoon season underway, landslides occur in the village even after light rainfall, causing further damage and spreading fear among residents, said local Govindra Thapa.
Fearing that they could lose their lives at any moment, many locals have stopped staying in their houses and moved into temporary shelters.
“Tamsu village itself is located on steep, landslide-prone terrain. There are steep slopes below the village as well as above it, so even light rain can trigger landslides,” Thapa said.
As the settlement has become increasingly vulnerable to landslides, locals have been leaving their homes and taking shelter under tarpaulins in safer locations, he added.
Around 61 households live in Tamsu. Four houses have been completely damaged, while the remaining houses are also at high risk from landslides, according to Mekhraj Jaisi, chairman of the Bajura district chapter of the Nepal Red Cross Society.
“Tamsu village is at extremely high risk of landslides and is no longer safe for residents. We have therefore distributed 61 tarpaulins and two large tents to 62 households. They are currently living in these temporary shelters,” Jaisi said.
He said locals were living in a state of fear and required psychosocial counselling. Plans were being made to provide counselling services. The district chapter has also decided to provide Rs. 15,000 to each affected family and has written to the central office for approval, he added.
Meanwhile, Triveni Municipality has decided to provide Rs. 200,000 to the families of those who died and cover the medical expenses of the injured, according to information officer Naresh Panta.
“Landslides frequently occur in most villages and settlements in the municipality, putting many communities at risk. Preparations are also under way to distribute tarpaulins to families whose homes are in danger,” Panta said.
He added that many settlements in the area needed to be relocated, but the municipality did not have sufficient funds for the purpose. The municipality has therefore recommended that the federal government provide the necessary support.
The Rising Nepal
