DHADING, June 29: Locals of northern parts of Dhading which was badly affected by the 2015 earthquakes have expressed their fear about the high possibility of landslides in their settlements. The locals have no other option than living amidst fear in the landslide-prone areas.
“Even though a study by experts has concluded that the areas are risky, we have no other option than to live here,” said Arjun Bahadur Tamang, a local of Khaniyabas Rural Municipality-4, adding, “Neither do we have a proper place to live nor a place to migrate to.”
He said that he is forced to live in fear in the risky area as the government has not provided an alternative area for resettlement. He accused the government of making hollow promises of finding alternative land.
Living with fear
Areas like Jharlang, Darkha and Satya Devi of Khaniyabas, and Lapa, Tipling, and Sertung of Ruby valley have been identified as areas highly susceptible to landslides. Locals have to live in constant fear of landslide every year with the start of monsoon.
Parents and teachers are worried about the safety of children who walk for hours through landslide-prone areas to reach school.
“We are always troubled by the thought that our children would make it to the school or not,” Ramesh Kunwar, a teacher at Mangalsen Devi School said.
Similarly, many parts of the BP Highway passing through the district are in high risks of landslides. With the start of the monsoon, many parts of the highway has been blocked by landslide debris. Areas including Mauwa Khola, Krishna Bhir and Bairani along the BP Highway are highly susceptible to landslides every year.
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