Kathmandu, Aug 18

In a geological study carried out in 242 places of Siindhupalchowk four years ago, the National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) in its report had identified 71 areas as more vulnerable.

The report was submitted to the government with a note that out of 242 areas studied, 75 were safe, 96 need further safety nets and 71 were at risk, shared NRA geologist Lekh Prasad Bhatta at a discussion programme organized in Sindhupalchowk on Monday. Informing that the first slot of study had identified problems in the Sallo area not in Lidi of Jugal rural municipality, he said the risk zones could be changed from time to time.

The study undertaken in 2018 had furnished a recommendation that the Lidi area would be liveable only following the arrangement of safety nets. Also speaking on the occasion, District Coordination Committee Sindhupalchowk chief Krishna Gopal Tamang stressed the need to develop a shared understanding on the landslide-triggered loss so as to address the problem through reconstruction approach.

He further shared that they are having a discussion with the House of Representatives Speaker, lawmakers and local elected representatives to make a concrete plan towards addressing the problem. It is inevitable to carry out geological study in all 12 local levels of Sindhupalchowk district and develop a plan to shift the most vulnerable area people to the safer places.

NRA Chief Executive Officer Sushil Gyawali pledged to provide support to review the earlier studies and also to venture out a new study in Sindhupalchowk in coordination with different agencies concerned.