National
Damaged houses pose risks to quake survivors
Quake-damaged structures in the district headquarters and rural areas in the district have posed risks to local residents as the government has not initiated efforts to rebuild them even six months after the devastating disaster.Sudip Kaini
Quake-damaged structures in the district headquarters and rural areas in the district have posed risks to local residents as the government has not initiated efforts to rebuild them even six months after the devastating disaster.
In the district headquarters, several quake-ravaged government offices are yet to be dismantled. Quake survivor Khadga Bahadur Adhikari of Bungkot-7 said they are living in fear as quake-damaged houses have not been pulled down. “At least 78 houses in the village have been damaged by the quake,” he said, adding that there are no skilled workers in the area to demolish those houses.
A majority of quake-affected families in the district have not dismantled their cracked houses yet. Gorkha Red Cross Chairman Yadubilash Bhattarai said such houses are not rebuilt as people are still dilemma regarding reconstruction. “The quake-affected families expect that the government will help them dismantle and reconstruct damaged houses,” he said. Social activist Sthaneshwor Dawadi said people are still awaiting financial aid from the government.
Dipak Adhikari, another quake survivor from Bungkot, said they could not demolish the damaged houses due to lack of money. “We are awaiting government support,” he said, adding that they are unable to remove damaged buildings on their own.
Likewise, Sunita Shrestha, another quake survivor, said her family is still living in the damaged house. “I am worried for my kids’ protection,” she said.