BIRENDRANAGAR, July 6: The settlements of the Badi community in Ganesh chowk of Dailekh district are at a high risk of landslides.
Due to the continuous rain, there is a high risk of soil erosion which can affect the settlement area. As many as 60 of the 65 houses in the settlement area are in danger, said the District Disaster Relief Committee (DDRC).
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An all-party meeting was held at the District Administration Office several times and alternative measures were taken. Homes are at risk as soon as the rains begin. In the past, some families in the slums were relocated to safer places after the rains and the administration used to return them after the rains. Every year, the local administration has been urging the families of the area to stay in a safe place.
As there is a slope and a road under the settlement, the settlement is at risk in the rainy season. Landslides that come to the settlement area every year cause houses to collapse and crack. Such houses are rebuilt as winter approaches. Landslides damaged 15 houses a year ago. Pauwa Badi, a leader of the local Badi community, said that the settlement was at a risk when the bodies concerned neglected to control the landslide.
He says that they are suffering from landslides every year. Three people were killed in a landslide in the settlement four years ago. There are 65 houses in the Badi community, of which 60 houses are at risk. Many have left their houses after being struck by landslides time and again.
Tek Bahadur Badi says that he loses sleep after rain due to the fear of landslides. Journalist Dekendra Raj Thapa had set up the Badi settlement 19 years ago. At that time a small settlement was established.
