Locals living in fear

RAUTAHAT, JULY 02

Persistent rainfall pouring since the last three days has raised fear flood among locals in Rautahat district as Bagmati, Lal-Bakaiya, Jhanjh, Chandi, Bharuwa, Aruwa, Tarahari Rivers and other small rivulets have started to swell.

The downpour has also damaged crops that had just been planted. As the farmlands were logged with rainwater, the efforts and investment of farmers have gone in vain in the district where close to 90% residents are farmers.

Meanwhile, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and Nepal Army, through the initiative of District Administrative Office, have been putting in all their effort to repair and protect spar no. 1 which is being gradually destroyed by the heavy flow of Bagmati River.

Rain water floods village in Badarhawa, Durga Bhagwati-5, July 2, 2021. Photo: Prabhat Jha/THT
Rain water floods village in Badarhawa, Durga Bhagwati-5, July 2, 2021. Photo: Prabhat Jha/THT

Security personnel keep monitoring near the area where the spar was damaged and then repaired later, July 2, 2021. Photo: Prabhat Jha/THT
Security personnel keep monitoring near the area where the spar was damaged and then repaired later, July 2, 2021. Photo: Prabhat Jha/THT

Security personnel keep monitoring near the area where the spar was damaged and then repaired later, July 2, 2021. Photo: Prabhat Jha/THT
Security personnel keep monitoring near the area where the spar was damaged and then repaired later, July 2, 2021. Photo: Prabhat Jha/THT

Chief District Officer Indra Dev Yadav informed that all the forces have been deployed to minimise the risk of natural disasters and to save the villages.

Yadav added that repair works are ongoing in various areas in Rajdevi and Gadimai, including in the reconstructed dam in Durga Bhagwati which is at risk of bursting.

One village in Durga Bhagwati Municipality-5 has started to inundate as Bagmati and Jhanjh rivers entered the village. Due to the inundation, the village has lost connection with other areas.

Efforts are also being made in Inarwa, Baudhimai to contain damaged where Lal-Bakaiya River has started to erode the land, he added.

Furthermore, the rain water accumulated due to lack of drainage system has blocked the main road while also flooding municipality office with two feet deep water.

Similar incidents in other places such as northern areas of Chandrapur have only added to the locals' woes.