Baitadi. Like every rainy season, the residents of Dogadakedar Rural Municipality-6 here are worried about landslides this time too. The landslides that have been occurring since 2018 BS have not allowed the villagers to sleep soundly.

Local Log Singh Bhat said that the concern has increased this year too due to the landslides that occur every year during the rainy season. “Since the rains started, I have been afraid to even sleep at night,” he said. “The landslides have swept away land all around. The settlement is at risk. Finally, our economic condition is weak. We are living at risk.”

Many people here have already migrated. Local Ram Dutta Joshi, who migrated after the landslide swept away their houses and land, said that most of them migrated after the landslide. Only 20 families with weak economic conditions currently live here.

Local Bhojraj Joshi said, “Every house in our village is crooked due to the landslide of 2018 BS. The houses are crooked after the ground inside collapsed. We are living at risk of landslides.’

The landslide has claimed nine lives so far and has washed away more than 200 ropanis of cultivable land. Local elders say that the then King Birendra had issued an order during the Panchayat period to relocate the Dolbasti. But due to political wrangling, the dream of moving elsewhere remained unfulfilled. All those with strong financial standing have bought land in the Terai and moved there. But the poor and Dalit community are forced to live at risk.

Landslides have been draining drinking water sources every year. After that, they are forced to use dirty water, said local Bahadur Bhul. No initiative has been taken to relocate the Dolbasti. Locals say that relocation of the settlement here is the appropriate option. (RSS)