Dashain for flood victims: cold worries at holding centres, Bhotekoshi banks deserted

This Dashain has brought little joy to families affected by the floods that hit the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli rivers on Bhadau 10. Flood victims from Rasuwa have been spending their days at various holding centres across the Kathmandu Valley for nearly two months.

More than 400 victims from Gosaikunda Rural Municipality-2 alone are staying at Mustang Gumba in the Swayambhu area. According to Pema Dorje, a contact person at the gumba, the victims there will not be celebrating the festival this year.

He said the onset of cold weather is making life harder still for the children and elderly staying at the centre. The Nubri Samaj at Bhagwanpau, also in Swayambhu, has likewise been sheltering around 300 people from the Bhotekoshi flood.

Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading are the districts hit hardest by the floods. Many who lost their homes remain in camps and temporary tents.

Ashtaman Dangol of Bidur Municipality-10 in Nuwakot said feeding and housing their families is their main worry right now. Keshav Shrestha of Bidur-1, Trishuli, said he has had to spend his days living in a rented room.

When supply chains break down after a disaster, affected areas also face the risk of black-marketing and unwarranted price hikes on daily essentials.