KATHMANDU: Residents displaced by the Bhotekoshi flood are gradually leaving government-run holding centers to settle into temporary private accommodation.

The displaced, who sought shelter following the destructive floods on Aug. 26, are being encouraged by the government to transition into rental housing.

According to the District Administration Office in Nuwakot, the number of displaced people in holding centers peaked on Sept. 7, when 2,637 individuals were housed across 28 facilities. As of Thursday, the number of centers has decreased to 16, with 832 people remaining.

Chief District Officer Shambhu Prasad Regmi stated that the number of people in the centers is declining as families move toward independent temporary arrangements, even as search operations for the missing continue.

Bidur Municipality has launched a relief package to facilitate this transition, offering financial assistance for rent. Mayor Rajan Shrestha announced that the municipality will provide 10,000 rupees monthly for rent, along with essential supplies including food and sanitation kits. This follows a federal government announcement providing a minimum of 15,000 rupees per family per month. The municipality is currently coordinating to ensure there is no overlap in these payments.

The Urban Development and Building Construction Project Office in Dhading has surveyed 2,027 displaced families across Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, and Chitwan to assess their needs. Project Chief Shashendra Ghimire noted that about 31 percent of the surveyed families expressed a preference for government-built temporary housing. For those unable to secure or afford rental rooms, the government is preparing to construct temporary shelters. Many displaced families, particularly from Rasuwa, have reported that they lack personal land, making government-provided temporary structures their most viable option for long-term shelter.