After nearly three years of the devastating floods that rendered hundreds of families homeless in Surkhet, the government has finally allocated the first instalment of the relief money to the victims. 

The government, led by late Sushil Koirala, had pledged Rs 300,000 each to the families hit by floods and landslides in Surkhet, Bardiya, Banke, Dang and Sindhupalchok districts. However, the money had not reached the affected families owing to what government officials say “lack of working guidelines”. 

One hundred and fifteen people were killed and 970 families had been displaced by the floods that struck various villages and parts of Birendranagar Municipality in August 2014. 

Parashuram Parajuli of Urban Development and Building Construction Division Office said the government has recently allocated Rs 100 million to be distributed among the flood-affected families as the first instalment . 

“We will start distributing the first instalment of the relief in a week. The families who lost their homes as well as lands in the disaster will receive Rs 100,000 each while Rs 50,000 each will be provided to the families who only lost their homes,” he said.

Meanwhile, the flood-displaced families are living in temporary shelters in places like Girighat, Tikhakuna, Chhinchu and Birendranagar.

Homes and lands of 255 families were completely destroyed while the properties of 715 others were partially damaged in the disaster. 

In the wake of the floodings, the government had pledged Rs 50,000 each to the displaced families to buy land and an additional Rs 75,000 each to build homes. 

Out of 970 families, only 464 had received the money to buy land while 123 were provided only Rs 25,000 of the pledged Rs 75,000 as the aid to build homes.

“We will provide Rs 50,000 to buy land and Rs 50,000 additional to build house to those families who did not receive the relief earlier. The families who received partial relief earlier will get the remaining amount,” said Parajuli.