Desperate Families Scavenge for Bricks as Kathmandu Bulldozers Level Riverfront Squatter Settlements

Following Kathmandu Mayor Balen Shah's initiative to clear unauthorized riverfront settlements, demolition efforts have intensified across major urban areas. Recently, hundreds of families were displaced after bulldozers were deployed in the Thapathali and Teku areas of the capital. Although the government has arranged temporary food and shelter at various holding centers and hotels, many displaced residents remain at the sites of their demolished homes.

Continuous rainfall over the past few days has exacerbated the situation for those affected. Despite the availability of government-provided facilities, many families are choosing to stay in the ruins to salvage intact bricks, timber, and household goods. These individuals are working to save whatever remains of the belongings they spent years accumulating. A local woman in Thapathali expressed her grief, stating that while the government has offered shelter, her life's earnings are buried under the mud, and she is trying to recover materials like bricks and zinc sheets before they are completely destroyed.

The current scene in Thapathali and Teku highlights a significant humanitarian challenge. While the local government maintains that the clearance is necessary for organized urbanization, displaced residents are prioritising the recovery of their meager possessions over moving to temporary centers. Security has been tightened in the riverfront areas as families continue to struggle through the debris and rain.