Hundreds of Bajura villages at risk of landslides

Dhangadhi: More than 100 villages in Bajura are at high risk of floods and landslides. According to the District Administration Office, Bajura, more than 116 villages at all the nine local levels are at risk of floods and landslides.

According to the District Disaster Preparedness and Response Plan 2077, prepared by the District Disaster Management Committee, Bajura, 116 villages are at risk of floods and landslides. Ten villages of Budhinanda municipality have been affected by the floods. The district administration office has stated that the villages of the municipality including Pipaldali, Saune village, Daiya, Matela, Partola, Jansal, Rawatwada, Kolti Bazaar, Ghodakot, Bhulena, Siradi and Naulakot should be relocated.

Three villages of Jagannath Municipality including Musekhola, Tallo Huni and Baskena are at high risk. Similarly, nine villages in Swamikartik are at risk. The villages of Varku, Rudi, Joru, Muktikot Supana, Pudeni Juku, Y and Migu are at risk, according to the village municipality. Five villages in the Himalayan municipality are at risk. Tipada, Walena, Jadanga, Rapka, Bauli Gadkhet, Bhaunera, Ghagar and Chuthi of Badimalika municipality are at risk. Maimatola, Vishtawada, Jilli, Siradi, Bathanlekh, Sallena and Pata are affected. Three hundred and thirty-two families in 21 villages of Gaumul Municipality are at high risk.

The response plan states that 971 families from 13 villages of Triveni Municipality should be relocated. One hundred and seventy households of Bishal bazaar Municipality-1, Simla of Ward No. 2, two hundred and seventy two households of Sinnekotak, one hundred and fifty seven households of Peoplesain Rautela of Ward No. 4 and two hundred and seventeen households of Ward 5 Kimni are at risk. In Budhiganga municipality, 625 families from 25 villages are at high risk. Three hundred and thirty-two families from 14 villages of Khaptad Chhededaha Municipality are at risk. Melatola, Arugada, Nauli Khola, Ganjra, Balde, Ghattekhola, Dhanalt, Tunisain Guiwan, Chasla Madikhola, Chadipatal and Gumlagaun are at high risk.

With the onset of rains, all villages are now at high risk of landslides. Due to the low rainfall during the winter, the risk of floods and landslides increases during the rainy season. The locals are facing problems every year as the rivers, streams and settlements around the river are at risk. Locals complain that the government has not taken any initiative to relocate the slums even though many families in the district are at high risk. Although most of the families leave their homes in the rainy season, the locals are not able to relocate to safer places.

In the response plan, it is stated that those villages should be relocated to other places. Dozers digging roads in villages have increased the risk of floods and landslides. According to the District Administration Office, Bajura, all the agencies have been instructed to reduce the disaster risk and rescue operations after the disaster.