Six years after Bhuji disaster, survivors still await homes and safety

Six years after a massive landslide and flash flood devastated the Bhuji river area in Nepal's Dhorpatan Municipality, survivors are still grappling with uncertainty as the monsoon season approaches. The disaster on September 2, 2020, swept away 126 homes, claimed 22 lives, and left 17 people missing, yet many affected families are still awaiting permanent housing and the repair of critical infrastructure.

Reconstruction efforts have been hampered by a complex web of issues. Some families received initial government housing assistance but failed to secure further payments because their newly built homes did not meet strict earthquake and disaster-resilient standards. Instead of adhering to guidelines, many opted for traditional rural construction, rendering them ineligible for subsequent funding. Local officials acknowledge that many affected residents are unaware of the available government support and the necessary application procedures.

The disaster also left significant infrastructure in ruins. Nearly 10 kilometers of road connecting two wards were destroyed, and while basic repairs began only recently, residents report the route remains unsafe. "The river carved its way along the road after the landslide, and it still hasn't been properly secured," said Yam Bahadur Kayat, principal of Gyanodaya Secondary School. "There has been little concern for building a safe and durable road."

Concerns about future disasters loom large, as the Bhuji river remains highly vulnerable to floods and landslides, according to Senior Soil Conservation Officer Sher Bahadur Shrestha. He recommended prohibiting settlements within 100 meters of the river. The district faces a broader challenge, with recent floods and landslides in neighboring Badigad Rural Municipality also leaving families displaced and awaiting reconstruction. Authorities have struggled to finalize long-term resettlement plans, with one proposal for an integrated settlement stalled due to conflicts with federal forest legislation.

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The river carved its way along the road after the landslide, and it still hasn't been properly secured. There has been little concern for building a safe and durable road.