SRILANKA ISLAND, Aug. 12: The Saptakoshi River is once again raising alarm along its western bank, where relentless erosion over the past 20 days has raised fears that the river could return to its old course and threaten settlements on both sides.
The river’s westward shift has put Sunsari’s Barahakshetra Municipality wards 6 and 9, along with Udayapur’s Belaka Municipality wards 1, 2 and 3, at high risk.
“The Saptakoshi flooded three years ago as well. At that time, 30 to 35 houses were swept away toward the west. This time, the erosion has been much more severe,” said Sukhi Chandravanshi of Barahakshetra-6. “The river is continuously moving westward.”
According to her, the Koshi once flowed through an area about two kilometers west of the river’s current western channel.
Historical accounts suggest that around 2,045 years ago, there were no embankments along either bank of the Saptakoshi and the river flowed through the western side. Srilanka Island did not exist at the time. The island was formed later when the Koshi split into eastern and western channels.
In recent years, however, the greatest threat has emerged along the western bank.
On August 18, 2008, the Koshi burst through its eastern embankment at the site now located in Koshi Rural Municipality-3 and entered human settlements, causing widespread devastation.
Locals say the river has increasingly been shifting its western bank and appears to be moving back toward its former course.
“Koshi is heading toward its old route,” said Sushila Chandravanshi of Barahakshetra-6. “We once had titled land where the Koshi is now flowing. We moved west after the river swept it away.”
Over 20,000 people displaced as Koshi River returns to its old...
She fears the consequences could be severe if the river reaches its former channel. She and many other displaced families now live on public land after losing their privately owned property to the river.
“Even though this is public land, we have managed to build a life here,” she said. “But if the erosion does not stop, we will have to move again sooner or later. Where will we go then?”
Locals say the erosion shows no sign of stopping soon.
“Looking at the situation now, the erosion is unlikely to stop anytime soon,” said Lila Devi Chandravanshi of the same ward. “The municipality has provided as much support as it can. Could the erosion be controlled if the federal government also provided assistance?”
According to her, an area stretching roughly 10 kilometers from Dumribot in Belaka to the lower boundary of Barahakshetra-9 is at risk.
The area has experienced similar danger before. In mid-August 2022, the Koshi changed its course and entered human settlements, affecting residents of Barahakshetra-6 and 9 and several wards of Belaka. A large number of people were displaced and later relocated.
Kavi Raj Bik of the Shantigar Tole Development Committee in Belaka-2 said residents of Srilanka Island would be hit hardest if the Koshi changes course and enters settlements.
According to Barahakshetra Municipality, around 2,002 households live on Srilanka Island, which lies between the eastern and western channels of the Saptakoshi.
Locals have also been trying to protect the island themselves. Muskan Rai said residents from Barahakshetra and Belaka municipalities volunteered for two weeks to install wire mesh to prevent the river from cutting into the island.
However, a violent incident in Kaptanganj, Sunsari, occurred around the same time, diverting the attention of security personnel and disrupting the mesh installation work.
With local volunteers exhausted after weeks of effort, the Irrigation and Water Resources Management Project in Biratnagar has now taken over emergency erosion-control work.
Project Office Chief Rajendra Prasad Dev said emergency measures would be implemented to contain the erosion. As the Saptakoshi continues to move westward, temporary structures will be built to divert the river toward the east, he said.
Barahakshetra Municipality Mayor Ramesh Karki said the western bank is facing greater erosion because the river channel is narrower there.
“If the erosion cannot be controlled, there is a risk that only history will remain,” he said. “We are doing everything we can with the resources available locally.”
He said erosion control would be much more effective if the provincial and federal governments took the issue seriously.
“The Koshi will continue to sweep away the soil. Our efforts alone cannot stop it,” Karki said.
The threat has already intensified during recent monsoon seasons. Water levels have risen along the western bank, flooding nearby settlements. On September 28 and 29, 2024, increased flow caused the river to inundate residential areas.
At present, roughly half of the Koshi’s flow is passing through each of its eastern and western channels.
“If more water shifts westward along the old course, there will definitely be greater damage,” said local leader Badri Kumar Rai.
Bhagalpur is the nearest service center for residents of the area. While travel becomes easier during winter when the river recedes, the Koshi moves closer to settlements on both sides during the monsoon. For many locals, there is still no alternative to boats for crossing the river.
Despite the danger, residents of Srilanka Island are reluctant to leave. Most depend on agriculture and livestock farming, while the production of tomatoes, maize, chilies, okra and radishes has improved their economic condition.
Until a few years ago, island residents struggled with limited access to basic services. They now have electricity and greater security, giving them little desire to abandon the homes and livelihoods they have built.
But as the monsoon intensifies and the roar of the Saptakoshi grows louder, the people of Srilanka Island are once again living with an old fear: that the river may reclaim its former path—and take their homes with it.
