Three hundred displaced earthquake-affected families of remote Syaule, Selang, Golche, Gumba, Batase, Boldegaun and Paripangtang villages in Sindhupalchok district are still living in the temporary shelters at Banskharka, Kharigaun and Kaflegaun in Sangachokgadhi Municipality.

They have been displaced from their villages after the quake of April 25, 2015 posed landslide risks in the remote settlements. 

“My family is living under the tent for two years, hoping for a proper shelter,” said victim Tilak Bahadur Shrestha of Selang-8 in Jugal Village Council, adding that he had to borrow money from others to feed his family members during scarcity.

With the monsoon round the corner, the quake displaced people are worried about their safety. 

Dilmaya Gurung, 75, of Banskharka, said she had been taken ill after her family started living under a tent. “I have spent first tranche of the housing reconstruction aid to purchase medicines,” she said. 

Another victim, Top Bahadur Lama said, “We have shared our difficulties with National Reconstruction Authority Chief Executive Govinda Pokharel when he was here on an inspection visit of the temporary camps in Selang area two weeks ago.

He assured us that we would soon be allotted a plot of land to build to a house.” 

Quake survivors in the remote parts of the district are reeling under the shortage of essential medicines.

There are no health posts in Banskharka, Kharigaun and Kaflegaun areas. Dile Tamang of Selang said even basic drugs like paracetamol are not available in his village.

“It takes at least three hours to reach the nearest health post,” he said. 

People are also facing water shortage after the water sources dried up in the quake-hit areas.

The entire village is now dependant upon two water taps today, said Sukulal Paien of Sepgaun in Selang.