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Nepal’s landslide survivors talk of struggle

Plight of people affected by the massive landslide in north east Nepal, close to border with China, highlights the country’s vulnerability to natural disasters

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Tara Adhikari and her two children live just a few metres away from the landslide that devastated the Sindhupalchowk district of Nepal two weeks ago.

Close by, the Nepal Army is setting off regular controlled explosions in an effort to drain water from the massive lake which formed when the landslide dammed the Sunkoshi River. With each explosion Adhikari recalls the faces of her neighbours who lost their lives.

Despite a government order for people to leave the area near the landslide, she is still living in the village. “They [the government] asked me to go to temporary camp – an hour’s walk from home – but who will look after my livestock? What will happen to this house built with a loan?” said Adhikari. “This is our lifetime investment and the result of our hard work, how can we leave this.” Three years ago her husband went to Qatar to earn money and he is still struggling to pay back the loan.

Plight of people affected by the massive landslide in north east Nepal, close to border with China, highlights the country’s vulnerability to natural disasters