Jul 12, Kathmandu - The government has relocated squatters from the Radhaswami Holding Center in Sundarighat, Kirtipur Municipality-10, after the center was submerged due to flooding. The squatters, who were forcibly displaced from the Bagmati Riverbanks since Baisakh 12 under Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s leadership, have now been moved to Bhaktapur.

Despite being confined to the holding center for 15 days, the squatters have faced mounting difficulties due to poor management over the past two months. Recently, floodwaters entered the center, causing widespread distress among the residents.

Most of their belongings have been damaged and destroyed in the floodwaters. Security personnel rescued the squatters from the rising waters using boats, and many are now living in just a single piece of clothing. Their household items, clothing, and essential supplies were lost to the flood.

The sudden midnight flood prevented many from salvaging their possessions, and security forces, overwhelmed by the flood, could only rescue a portion of the residents.

Out of 154 individuals in the holding center, security personnel rescued 54 and safely transferred them to the Smriti Bhawan at Tribhuvan University. Six others have gone to relatives or nearby hostels, while 94 refused to leave.

Currently, the government has relocated 89 people from 31 families from the Keiripur holding center to Kharipati, Bhaktapur, over the course of Saturday and Sunday mornings. Some squatters have also been moved to Bode, Bhaktapur.