Kathmandu— Following torrential rainfall beginning August 15th, landslides and floods are devastating communities in Jajarkot district, Nepal, sweeping away homes and farmland. The affected areas, including Bheri Municipality-2 and surrounding settlements, were already severely impacted by a magnitude 6.4 earthquake that struck in November 2020, leaving structures vulnerable to further disaster. Residents who had begun minor repairs on damaged homes are now homeless, facing displacement and food insecurity as the monsoon season continues. The landslides have resulted in at least four deaths and tens of millions of rupees in property damage.

Earthquake Weakened Infrastructure

The November 2020 earthquake, centered in Barekot Rural Municipality-1, caused widespread damage to over 42,000 houses in Jajarkot, claiming 101 lives. While temporary shelters were provided following the quake, reconstruction efforts have stalled, leaving many families living precariously in damaged structures. The earthquake cracked steep terrain and destabilized farmland, creating ideal conditions for landslides when heavy rainfall arrived.

Landslides Cause Widespread Displacement

A landslide in the Risang area of Bheri Municipality-2 has destroyed over a dozen homes, with approximately 200 more at risk. Displaced families are seeking refuge in school buildings and makeshift camps constructed from tarpaulins. The entire village is largely deserted as residents fear further landslides. Man Bahadur Wali of Bheri Municipality-2 lost both his home and farmland to the recent slides, leaving his family destitute.

Agricultural Losses Compound Crisis

Large areas of agricultural land have been destroyed by the landslides, exacerbating the hardship for families dependent on farming and daily wage labor. The destruction of maize and paddy fields threatens food security in the region. Residents express frustration that delayed reconstruction efforts left them vulnerable to these secondary disasters.

Urgent Calls for Assistance

Locals are urging the government to conduct a rapid damage assessment and prioritize safe shelter and rehabilitation programs. Affected residents emphasized their immediate needs, stating, “The government and donors have provided relief, but how long can we survive on it? Our property has been swept away…We do not know where our family will live or how we will manage our daily meals.” Local governments and authorities are currently gathering information about the extent of the damage.

Local governments and concerned authorities continue to collect data on the landslide damage, with residents awaiting a comprehensive response plan for relocation and reconstruction.

(With inputs from RN)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.