Kathmandu squatters displaced by flood as government eases aid

On July 11, floodwaters from the swollen Bagmati River inundated the Radha Soami Beas shelter in Kirtipur, a temporary holding centre where the Nepalese government had relocated squatters from flood‑prone riverbanks. Of the 154 residents, 54 were rescued by a joint police and Armed Police Force team and moved to Smriti Bhawan at Tribhuvan University, while many others stayed in unaffected parts of the shelter. Residents complained they were moved into danger, with one saying, "We faced a terrifying situation last night. The flood came all of a sudden. Balendra (the prime minister) had said we were brought here to protect us from floods, but he ended up putting us right in the middle of a flood."

Two days later, ministers visited several holding centres in the Kathmandu Valley, signalling a softer stance toward the displaced families. Home Minister Sudhan Gurung and Land Management Minister Pratibha Rawal promised continued food supplies and accelerated issuance of land‑ownership certificates to genuine landless families. Rawal said, "Within the next few weeks, genuine squatters in many districts across the country will also receive their certificates," aiming to provide legal security and prevent future disputes. Youth protesters also gathered in Kathmandu, accusing the authorities of inhumane treatment of the squatters.