Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, Nov 9: More than two months after the devastating landslide swept away their homes, eighteen families of Rengi and adjoining hamlets in Chenani tehsil of Udhampur district continue to live in makeshift tents, battling biting cold and uncertainty about their future.
The landslide, triggered by heavy rainfall on August 26, had completely destroyed several houses in these remote mountainous hamlets, forcing residents to take shelter under temporary tarpaulin sheds provided by the district administration. However, with winter setting in and temperatures plummeting in the upper reaches of Chenani, the displaced families say that life in tents has become unbearable.
“We have lost everything – our houses, cattle, and belongings. Since August, we are living under plastic sheets in freezing cold. The administration visited once or twice, but there has been no progress on rehabilitation,” they said. Click here to watch video
According to Surinder Singh, former Sarpanch of Basht, 18 families from Rengi, Katwal and Bain are living in these tents after the massive landslide swept away their homes and all belongings. “Even as the administration provided them temporary relief and tented accommodation, their permanent rehabilitation is required by providing five marla land and house to each family,” he added.
The villagers fear they will have to endure harsh winter in temporary shelters if the Government fails to act swiftly. “This is not just a question of shelter, it’s about survival,” they said, adding that education of their children is also suffering due poor living conditions.
Expressing concern that their present settlement is unsafe, they mentioned that only two days back , there was heavy rain in the area and rain water had entered these tents.
The affected families have urged the Government authorities to look into the matter and ensure that they are provided with permanent rehabilitation before the onset of severe winter.
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