A high-level taskforce formed to study risks of quake-triggered landslides on villages has recommended shifting vulnerable settlements to safer locations areas before monsoon season starts.

The government had formed the high-level panel led by Department of Mines and Geology to recommend safer places for resettlement of vulnerable populations in Rasuwa, Sindupalchok, Dolakha, Gorkha, Dhading and Nuwakot hit hardest by April 25 earthquake and its aftershocks.

The team comprises geologists, planners and officials from government bodies, universities and think tanks, among others. A total of 18 teams--two to three experts in each--were mobilised in 32 places identified as most vulnerable sites in the six districts to assess landslide risks on settlements during monsoon.

 “Many landslides studied by the teams in all six districts are shallow in nature, not deep than 2-3 metres and only few are likely to pose severe danger, even likely to block rivers, threatening downstream villages,” said Megh Raj Dhital, a geologist and a member of the team.

The high-level taskforce submitted its report to the Ministry of Home Affairs on Tuesday. The ministry officials, however, declined to provide findings of the report stating that it is still under discussion and will take a couple of  days before it goes public.

The districts that are identified as most potential risk areas due to the existing and earthquake-triggered dry landslides during monsoon are Rasuwa, Sindupalchok and Dolakha.

Nuwakot is among the district with less risk of future severe landslides in the upcoming monsoon season, Dhital added. “However, detailed study on overall landslide threat not only to the six districts studied by the team but in all 14 districts affected by the earthquake is a must to come up with a detailed landslide hazard assessment,” he added.

Sarbjit Prasad Mahato, director general at DMG, who led the task force said the main purpose of the study was to identify immediate resettlement measures to the affected and vulnerable families due to landslides during the monsoon period. “We are still holding meetings to discuss on the findings,” he added.

Published on: 4 June 2015 | The Kathmandu Post