Darchula flood victims still in the lurch

DARCHULA, July 27: More than a month has elapsed since the flooded Mahakali river washed away 300 households in Khalanga VDC of Darchula, but the displaced are still in a lurch as no proper relief has been provided by the government. Agitated over the government´s lack of concern, the victims decided to take the issue to Kathmandu and launch protests on Saturday.



According to the victims, a few organizations offered them some rice, edible oil and pulses as immediate relief but they have received nothing further from the government. [break]



Without a roof over their heads, all the victims have been sheltering with relatives and surviving on whatever bits of food are available.



"Each household receives 2 kgs of rice after paying for it but even for that we have to wait in line for hours and an affirmation note from the district administration office is a must. This is unbelievable," said chairperson of the struggle committee formed to assist the flood victims, Lalit Singh Bohora.



Desperate over their plight, the agitated victims reached Darchula District Administration Office (DAO) a week ago. But to their surprise, the office had not even completed calculating the total loss of property in the flooding.



Trying to appease the gathered crowd, Chief District Officer Krishna Bahadur Katwal promised to complete the survey and provide necessary relief in a few days, but nothing has happened since, informed Bohora.



Darchula District Administration Office (DAO) prepared a preliminary report on the property loss but it had to be scrapped as it didn´t include all the individual losses.



"We will send the renewed survey on property loss to the centre in a few days and request the locals to remain patient till then," said Katwal.



Meanwhile, the struggle committee said that they are firm in their decision and they have also warned the DAO they would take the matter to the streets if their demands are not fulfilled soon.



"We will go to Kathmandu and stage protest rallies as we all know that no complaints in Nepal are addressed until one raises one´s voice," said Bohora.



Besides protesting to the authorities, the action committee has been collecting donations and distributing available relief to the victims. "We are aiming to give at least Rs 1,000 to each family and we have already made the distribution to around 100 families," said secretary of the committee, Raghu Singh Thagunna.

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