DOTI, August 10: Eight villages in Doti district are at risk of erosion by the Seti River. Although a wall with gabion wire is built along the river, the erosion has not stopped.
The human settlements of Barapata, Ghopghat, Kalaghad, Sirkholi Sain, Dipayal, Gholtada and Naridhang are at high risk of being washed away by the river. The villagers of the settlements are on a vigil throughout the night to avoid the possible danger, according to locals.
The Water-induced Disaster Control Office, Dipayal, spends a huge budget every year to manage levees with gabion wire to control the river, but in vain, said Dil Bahadur Bhandari of Pipalla from Silgadhi Municipality-4. "Millions of budget is spent every year, but the structures are swept away by the flood every time, eroding the land. It is worrying for all the villagers here."
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Every year, the Seti River changes its course during monsoon floods, panicking the settlements nearby. Laxman Saud, a local of Sirkholi of Silgadhi-1, shared the plight that they were worried when the Seti River was raging.
The locals from Banleg from Shikhar Municipality-10 and 11 also said they also fear the river in the monsoon. They have remained alert during the night as well.
Ram Bahadur Karki from Kalgadh of Shikhar Municipality-2 complained as the concerned bodies failed to control the river erosion, the settlements of Dipayal, Banidugrisain, Sirkholisain, Kalagadh, Rampur, Gerupani, Gholtada Nadirang were facing continued threat. "The land near the river is swept away when the river changes its course. But there are no concrete steps taken to address this serious issue," he shared.
Meanwhile, more than a dozen rural roads have been obstructed in the district due to torrential rain.
General Secretary of Nepal Red Cross Society in Sudurpaschim Province, Dev Bahadur Bohara, informed Republica that various 22 places in the district were ascertained as the most vulnerable areas and search and rescue centres have been established accordingly. Similarly, 12 persons were trained for the search and rescue in case of a disaster, he added.
(With Inputs from RSS)
