Residents of Gumla in Khaptad Chhededaha Rural Municipality–7 have been waiting for relocation for decades. Despite facing a high risk of landslides since 2021, they continue to live in danger as the relocation has not taken place. They have repeatedly appealed to the local and federal governments, but the state has not responded, said local resident Bishnu Bahadur Rawat.
Gumla has around 200 households, but nearly half of them have already been displaced due to landslides. The residents continue to live in fear, struggling to protect their lives amid constant risk. Local resident Bishnu Bahadur Rawat stated that they are living in the village out of compulsion, as there is no safer place to go. He mentioned that they are forced to stay and face the risk of landslides every day. Additionally, no one can predict when the entire Rural Municipality might be destroyed. He further shared that the danger intensifies with the onset of the monsoon, while winter offers some relief. However, once the rains begin, even sleeping inside the house becomes frightening, as they never know when a landslide might strike.
A siren has been installed in the village to issue landslide warnings. The device can alert residents up to nearly one kilometer away with its sound. Locals are currently relying on this siren to stay alert. Although it is only a temporary measure, residents say it has provided some relief during this time of crisis.
Around 879.9 Acre of land turned into barren land
The impact of landslides in the village is so severe that nearly 880 acres of land have turned into barren land. Not only has the settlement been affected, but agricultural land has also been destroyed, leaving the locals in a state of livelihood crisis. Already, 90 households have been displaced, and another 135 households are forced to live under the constant threat of landslides.
Dil Bahadur Rawat, Chairperson of Khaptad Chhededaha Rural Municipality stated that the entire Gumla is at risk of landslides, however, due to the limited resources of the rural municipality, relocation cannot be carried out. He further mentioned that despite repeatedly appealing to the federal and provincial governments for assistance, there has been no response. The constant changes in government have prevented their demands from being addressed.