MANANG, July 13: The flood and landslide victims of Manang district have expressed their woes regarding the government's complete disregard to sending any kind of relief to the disaster-hit district. Manang district is left severely affected due to floods and landslides caused by incessant rain since June 14.
The affected families of Manang have expressed their woes after not receiving any kind of relief and support from the government even though a long time has passed since the disaster struck the himalayan district. “We have only received relief from private and individual bodies,” Palsang Lama, a local resident of Chame Rural Municipality-4, said. “The continuous fear of disaster has forced people to live in harsh conditions. Many are living under tents and tarpaulin sheets after the landslide swept their houses away. It breaks me to see my village in such a condition. This year, the unthinkable occured. Houses and settlements have completely vanished due to the floods and landslides,” Lama said, “We have not received any support from the government. Our Nepali brothers and sisters living abroad and some individuals are the only ones who have come to our help,” he added.
New track under-construction to connect Chame to Upper Manang
“The support for the affected families has completely been disregarded by the provincial and federal governments. We have managed to support ourselves this far. At such a crucial time, the government has shown complete disregard for the people. I feel as if a government doesn't exist at all,” Lama lamented. The people of Manang are unable to purchase and import any goods and materials as the roads are completely blocked due to landslide debris. Locals are found living under tarpaulin sheets, tents, and in community buildings. The complete disregard from the government has saddened the locals of Manang district.
On the other hand, Chief District Officer Bishnu Lamichanne said that the government bodies have helped the affected people in the region as much as they can. He said that relief materials have been provided to everyone by coordinating with individuals and government bodies. “Not a single victim has been left out. Relief has been distributed to everyone equally,” he added.
The incessant rainfall in Manang district since June 14 has severely damaged property worth millions of rupees, leaving the local resident helpless. The flood in the Marsyangdi River damaged houses, roads, temples, monasteries, bridges and many other physical infrastructures. As many as four local governments including Nason, Chame, and Ngishyang rural municipalities in the district are left seriously affected by landslides and floods.
