Bajura flood and landslide victims celebrate Dashain in tents

Bajura: Victims of floods and landslides in Bichhya Rugin, northeastern Bajura, are celebrating this year’s Dashain and the upcoming Tihar in temporary tents.

The flood that struck Bichhya Khola on July 28 displaced around 41 families. While locals celebrated Dashain and Tihar in their homes last year, this year the disaster destroyed their houses, forcing them to observe the festival under the open sky in tents. Sable Thapa of Bichhya, Himali Rural Municipality-1, said, “This monsoon season was mild, but living in tents during winter is extremely difficult. I am worried about how to spend cold nights here.”

The local government has provided relief materials, including food and clothing. Thapa added that support from provincial and federal governments for housing would ease their living conditions during winter.

The floods and landslides washed away eight houses in Himali Rural Municipality-1, Bichhya, and put nine more at risk. In Ward No. 5, Kabadi, 16 houses were destroyed, and 32 houses were completely damaged. Overall, 41 houses were entirely destroyed, and 24 families were displaced.

Himali Rural Municipality Chairman Govindra Bahadur Malla stated, “We have done our best to assist, but the victims still face severe housing problems, which require significant funds that we currently lack.”