In the wake of severe flooding in Nepal’s Rasuwa district, concerns are mounting over the resettlement of displaced residents in hazard-prone areas. The village of Khalte, established as a temporary settlement following the devastating 2015 earthquake, was nearly annihilated when floodwaters surged through the narrow Trishuli River valley on August 26, leaving at least 375 people missing, according to local accounts.

Khalte had been developed to house approximately 257 households displaced by the earthquake, which claimed nearly 9,000 lives nationwide and destroyed numerous villages. However, subsequent geological assessments classified the site as a “red zone” due to high risks of landslides and avalanches. Survivors and residents like Bam Bahadur Tamang have voiced their opposition to the original relocation plan, emphasizing the need for safety alongside access to essential services such as healthcare, education, and livelihood opportunities.

Tamang, currently residing in a government relief center, stressed that future resettlement efforts must prioritize secure locations and adequate infrastructure. “Wherever the government resettles us now, it must first ensure that the place is safe,” he said, underscoring the inadequacy of merely providing temporary shelter.

Nepal faces ongoing challenges in disaster management as floods and landslides regularly threaten the mountainous border region with China. The recent flooding has resulted in more than 1,400 deaths with thousands still missing. A flash flood in north-central Nepal last week added to the number of missing persons, highlighting the persistent vulnerability of affected populations.

The government has acknowledged the need for long-term solutions beyond emergency relief. Plans are underway to build a new city for flood victims, equipped with industries, hospitals, and schools to support resettlement. Officials are also exploring public-private partnerships in reconstruction, including initiatives where private developers collaborate with landowners to construct new homes.

Dharam Raj Uprety, chief executive of Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, indicated that authorities are actively identifying safer locations for resettlement. He noted that expert assessments of land use are guiding decisions, with flood-prone zones potentially being declared uninhabitable. Measures may also include converting vulnerable riverbanks into forested areas to reduce disaster risk, alongside constructing homes on more stable ground.

This situation underscores the complex balance Nepal must strike between addressing immediate humanitarian needs and implementing sustainable recovery strategies that reduce exposure to future disasters. Experts and affected communities alike emphasize that safe and accessible resettlement sites are critical to breaking the cycle of displacement and vulnerability in Nepal’s hazard-prone regions.