Flood Victims in Kathmandu Say Mayor Balen Shows No Concern
The victims also stated that, although they have heard promises of support from the government, they have yet to receive any services.
Yurika Rajbhandari
Kathmandu – Flood victims from the squatter settlements in Kathmandu have criticised Mayor Balen Shah for neglecting their plight.
On Monday morning, residents of the Thapathali squatter settlement, devastated by recent floods, expressed their frustration, saying that neither the Kathmandu Metropolitan City nor Mayor Balen had paid any attention to their suffering. While the local ward has provided food, the victims complained that no further assistance has come from anywhere.
Dal Mardan Kami, a local resident, said that the Kathmandu Metropolitan City is only focused on evicting the poor and called on the government to address their immediate needs. He stated that the government must take responsibility for providing food, shelter, and other basic services, as no help has arrived from any source.
"We haven’t seen the Kathmandu Metropolitan City do anything for us," Kami said. "The ward committee here is providing food, but no organisations or individuals have come forward to offer any real help. Ward 11 is feeding our brothers and sisters, but apart from that, there has been no support. We've even heard rumours that Mayor Balen visited the bridge and prayed for our settlement to be wiped out. This is the kind of attitude we are dealing with."
The victims also stated that, although they have heard promises of support from the government, they have yet to receive any services. While the ward is providing food, the lack of other essential services is creating difficulties. Local resident Harimaya Jimba said that if the government provides food, shelter, education, and healthcare, they are willing to leave the settlement.
"Balen hasn’t even come here to talk about what services we might receive," Jimba said. "If the government sends a team, we are not insisting on staying by the riverside forever. We live here out of necessity. In winter, the river smells; in monsoon, we live in fear of floods. We’re only here because we have no choice. The government must provide food, housing, education, and healthcare."
Heavy rains have caused significant damage to settlements along the rivers in the Kathmandu Valley. However, the victims complain that the government has shown little interest in providing relief. They have called on the government to urgently arrange for necessary aid.
