Among the villages that fall in the risk zone are Mustang´s Chusang village, Kagbeni´s Eklebhetti village, Lete VDC´s Sanobajar and Jomsom VDC´s Upallo, Tukuche, Khanti and Kokhethati villages. Two families are already in danger as the bank on Kaligandaki River is eroding fast.
According to the Mani Kumar Gyawali, Local Development Officer (LDO), Mustang, the erosions have damaged thousands of hectares of arable land in the area. “The erosion on the banks of Kaligandaki River has been continuing since several years. However, the locals´ plea to construct embankments to protect nearby human settlements has fallen on deaf ears,” said Gyawali. He said that if the government didn´t step in immediately, hundreds of families would be at a grave risk.
“Mukundaraj Prashad Ghimire and his team from the National Planning Commission have visited the place to inspect the situation,” informed Gyawali. However, the locals are worried as the government has done nothing concrete so far, he added.
About 50 households in Beni village, Parbat, are also highly vulnerable. “When it rains we stay up all night because we do not know when we will be swept away,” said Dipa Baruwal, a local. Landslides in the area occasionally obstruct vehicular movement and have turned our fields barren. Locals complained that the concerned authorities were not concerned about their plight.
“If nothing is done to prevent these landslides, many people may lose lives. Immediate action is necessary,” said Loknath Regmi, another local. “The ordinary net provided by the Chief District Officers and Local District Officers is not enough to check landslides.” Bishnu Bahadur Thapa, LDO, Parbat, informed that nets and money have been provided to prevent destruction from landslides.
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