BAGLUNG: At least 2,438 households in Nisikhola Rural Municipality of Baglung district have been identified as being at high risk of landslides and flash floods, putting an estimated 13,597 residents in danger.
The most affected area is Ward No. 1, where 920 homes are exposed to significant landslide threats. Settlements such as Huldi, Lebang, Kiteni, and Swar are among the most vulnerable, according to Rural Municipality Chairperson Suryabahadur Gharti Magar.
Landslides have become increasingly frequent in the region since 2017 (2074 BS), local residents say.
Locals, especially in Ward No. 1, say they live in constant fear during the monsoon season. Humkumari Malla, a resident of Huldi, described a massive landslide that cuts through the middle of the village and has been active for decades. She said that since 2018, the severity has worsened, with cracks appearing in multiple locations, leading to land subsidence.
“We live in fear, unsure how to save our lives during the rainy season. In winter, we live in peace, but during heavy rains, we are forced to flee our homes,” Malla said. “Above the village, there’s an area called Dah where we keep our livestock. During landslides, we go up there to stay. We’ve repeatedly informed the rural municipality, provincial and federal governments — but so far, no action has been taken.”
Another resident, Padam Bahadur BK from Ward 2, said he and his family have no land outside the village and are forced to stay in harm’s way.
“When it rains heavily, we carry our belongings and rush out of the house. Those with means have already migrated to the Tarai. Only the poor remain here,” he shared, adding that authorities have been informed multiple times without any response.
Chairperson Gharti Magar confirmed that requests have been made to both provincial and federal governments to help relocate vulnerable households. Under the People’s Housing Program, some families have been relocated and provided with housing in safer areas, he added.
He acknowledged that the rural municipality’s challenging geography leads to annual suffering during the monsoon and said efforts are being made to draft long-term mitigation and relocation plans.
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