Displaced Families Return to Risky Settlement in Risang After Floods

September 14, Surkhet – Families displaced by the flood and landslide in Risang, Bheri Municipality-2, Jajarkot, on August 15 have been forced to return to their original settlement despite the risks, as they have not been provided with safe housing alternatives. Most displaced families, initially relocated to safer areas following damage to their homes and the village, have returned to the hazardous original location.

According to Ward Chair Bhimbahadur Karki, the disaster caused four deaths and injured ten people, with approximately 300 households at risk in Risang. Due to the slow progress in building permanent houses or carrying out resettlement, families have been compelled to move back to their vulnerable homes.

Ward Chair Karki explained, “Data has been collected for the 14 families whose houses were completely destroyed, and the process for temporary housing construction is underway. Forms will be distributed on September 16. However, the exact location for resettlement has not yet been confirmed.” With no decision on safe locations or housing, affected families remain uncertain.

He added, “Only for completely destroyed houses have the forms and letters for housing construction been issued, but where to build these houses has not yet been decided.”

Approximately 300 families remain at risk

About 300 displaced households have returned to their risk-prone homes and settlement since the disaster. Despite the landslide threat, lack of alternative safe housing has forced families to return. Ward Chair Karki stated that the displaced families’ maize fields, livestock, and household belongings remain in the risky area. Due to the need for farming and livestock raising, these families cannot stay long in safer locations.

“Families have to return to hazardous homes because their maize crops, livestock, and belongings are there,” he said.

No instructions have been received so far regarding form distribution or initiating resettlement processes for these at-risk families.

“Forms and letters for house construction have been sent only to the families whose houses were completely destroyed. There is no information yet for the other displaced families who are at risk,” he added.

Displaced families living in tents near schools

Some families forced to leave their homes after the flood remain temporarily housed in tents. According to Ward Chair Karki, five families live near Bishnu Primary School and fourteen near Risang School. Prolonged stays in tents have resulted in issues related to rain, cold, and basic necessities, especially drinking water.

“Currently, there is a problem with water supply. Also, there has been no final decision on where to build houses for the displaced,” Karki said. The tents built near maize fields in coordination with the municipality are making daily life difficult for these families.

Relief supply sufficient for three months

The Karnali government and local authorities have provided relief materials that are sufficient for about three months, according to Ward Chair Karki. “The provincial government has provided good relief support,” he noted.

However, while the immediate needs are met, permanent solutions for safe housing, drinking water, and long-term resettlement remain urgent.

Priority given only to families with total destruction

Post-disaster resettlement directives prioritize only families whose houses were completely destroyed. Accordingly, the ward office has collected data on 14 such families and is moving forward with housing construction processes. No processes have yet begun for partially damaged or still at-risk households.

This situation has further added uncertainty for the at-risk families. Even though their homes are uninhabitable, without initiated construction or plans for safe, long-term residence, they have returned to hazardous settlements.

Resettlement decisions fall under local government and administration

Senior Divisional Engineer Sushil Kumar Shrestha of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority stated that resettlement decisions are made by the local level and Chief District Officer.

“The municipality and the Chief District Officer make these decisions. We are not involved,” he said. The local authorities should assess the affected families’ conditions and risks to decide on safe locations and resettlement, but lack of clear plans for nearly 300 at-risk families has led them to return to old, unsafe settlements.

Relief provided but safe shelters remain elusive

Though immediate relief has reached Risang’s affected families, the problem of safe housing persists. While plans to assist 14 completely destroyed families are progressing, uncertainty remains regarding resettlement for the 300 at-risk households.

With four deaths and ten injuries from the disaster, families returning to risky settlements face ongoing security challenges. Displaced resident Dhankala Bik emphasized that safe housing must be coupled with livelihood support, especially since many families cannot leave farming and livestock activities.

Though immediate relief is necessary, the primary focus must be on providing safe homes and sustainable resettlement. Many displaced families remain in tents, while at-risk families have returned to their vulnerable homes. However, questions regarding when and where safe resettlement will happen remain unanswered.