Flood-affected communities are returning home in western Terai, Nepal amid warnings of more heavy rain.

Some 140,300 children and their families were affected, when heavy rains caused flooding in Kailai District. Now, almost 85% have returned to their flood damaged homes with the decreased water levels.

However, the Meteorology Department of the Government of Nepal has made a forecast that the far-western region will receive heavy rainfall in the days to come. This has created a fear that the flood–affected will incur a second wave of damage to their homes, livestock and property. 

World Vision will provide tarpaulins throughout the Geta VDC, to cover roofless homes. The agency will also distribute 500 medicated bed nets in partnership with Nepal Red Cross Society.

As the flood affected have started preparing to return home, World Vision and other partner organisations are involved in assessments in the Kailali area.

The needs assessments will cover household surveys, water and sanitation, health, requirement of food and non–food items, education, protection among others. 

Lakshmeshwar Mahato, from World Vision Nepal said the needs of the flood affected are changing are now more long term focused and that the assessments will inform World Vision’s next phase of assistance.

Getting people back on track in terms of livelihood rehabilitation is very important, said Mahato.

"Most of the affected are either farmers or earn meager daily wages by tilling others' farms. They lost quite a lot of their clothes, food, cooking utensils, children's schoolbooks, etc. Their cattle have all died. Some of them need to start from scratch. Those still in the shelters fear that their property will be looted. The Government and INGOs are working hand-in-hand in helping them rebuild their life."

Common illnesses seen amongst the affected are eye and skin infections. The most immediate need within temporary shelter sites is the provision of basic health services and clean drinking water as communicable disease such as diarrhoea have started to affect people, especially the children. Cases of encephalitis and typhoid are also suspected.

World Vision, in coordination with other INGOs intends to support the establishment of health camps in affected areas.

The worst flood-affected Village District Committees (VDC) includes Dhansinghpur, Narayanpur, Tikapur, Khailad, Lalbojih, Bhajani and Thapapur of the District. Bhajani and Lalbojih VDCs were inundated with floodwater and are now becoming accessible, however, many homes are either completely destroyed or uninhabitable. The majority of the displaced people from Lalbojih and Thapapur are currently living in temporary settlement sites.