The technicians were of the opinion that water released from Dhauliganga dam and unilaterally constructed spurs and embankment on the Indian side aggravated the flooding causing huge damage in Khalanga, the headquarters of Darchula district.[break]
Indian side has constructed spurs along a three-kilometer stretch of the river -- from Tapoban to Dharchula.
“The river changed its course during the flooding due to the spurs causing more damage on the Nepali side,” Mahendra Prasad Badu, Chief of WIDP Division Office told Republica.
Now that the river has changed its course, it has become necessary to build strong embankment along the river on the Nepali side to prevent flooding of Nepali villages.
“The Mahakali River changed its course after India encroached upon river banks to set up a park near the border. Indian said should have consulted Nepal before constructing the park,” said Badu.
Bishnu Hari Adhikari, an engineer at the WIDP office said spurs are built to reduce flow velocities near the bank. “The river would not have caused huge damage on the Nepali side if there were not spurs on the Indian side,” said Adhikari.
Locals said that in recent years even a small flooding in the Mahakali River causes erosion in Khalanga-5. Prem Singh Bada, a flood victim, said that the district administration remained mute spectator when the Indian side unilaterally constructed the spurs and the park. We even urged the Ministry of Home Affairs to intervene in the matter but they ignored our request, Bada said.
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