Sudurpaschim Province
Windstorm survivors say they haven’t received aid
With help not forthcoming, many families are taking loans to repair their homes and buy food, but authorities claim they are distributing relief in affected areasMohan Budhaair
Many survivors of June 6 windstorm in Dhangadhi are still reeling from the disaster.
As the authorities concerned have not yet distributed aid in the windstorm-affected areas, many families have been forced to live under miserable conditions.
With the government relief not forthcoming, Parshuram Chaudhary took a Rs 20,000 loan from one of his neighbours to fix his hut and buy food and clothes.
“I have managed to make the hut liveable after labouring for five days. Since I could not find the tin roof that was blown away by the windstorm, I have used tiles and straws roof the hut,” he said.
Parshuram spent Rs 15,000 to repair his hut. The remaining Rs 5,000, he spent it to buy food grains and clothes.
Parshuram is from one of the 55 families of freed Kamaiyas (bonded labourers) living near old airport area in Dhangadhi-1.
Almost all the families were affected by the windstorm.
They have complained that the authorities have not provided any relief and support so far.
“It has been two weeks since the disaster. The ward office, sub-metropolitan office, police and the district administration sent their teams to assess the damage in the wake of the windstorm. But they have not sent any relief and compensation so far,” said Jagatram Chaudhary, another windstorm survivor.
Two people were killed and many others were injured when the windstorm tore through three western Tarai districts of Kailali, Kanchanpur and Bardiya on June 6.
According to the District Administration Office in Kailali, around 7,000 houses were affected by the windstorm.
Chief District Officer Yangya Raj Bohara said the local units have been distributing relief to the victims. He claimed of constructing 11 houses for single women and extremely poor people who were affected by the windstorm.