GALESHWOR, Feb 20: As many as 13 settlements in Mustang are at high risk of erosion from the Kaligandaki River. The settlements from Chhusang to Lete are vulnerable to erosion from the river during rains, suggests a study conducted in support of the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Samar and Chaile of Baragung Muktikshetra, Syang of Gharpajhong, Larjung, Kowang, and Sauru are among those areas vulnerable to possible disasters. The preliminary report of the study warns of the possibility of glacial lake outbursts and floods and landslides with global temperature rise, posing a threat to the nearby and low-lying areas. The scale of snow melting is also rising.
Environmentalists are worried about the recent developments in the mountain range.
Mustang villages cutoff in lack of bridge over Kaligandaki
Environmentalist Sahadev Sigdel shared that lately, several rivers in the district including Lupra, Kagbeni, Thini, Tamo, and Thapa Khola are gradually getting off their regular course and have started entering the settlement. The incidents of irregular patterns of snowfall, and avalanches are on the rise in the district, causing implications on agriculture production.
“The Kaligandaki has reached close to us,” locals said. As they believe, this is due to the impact of climate change.
Mustang, known as the district beyond the Himalayas, was hit by an avalanche last December. The disaster took place on the Manapathi Peak. Similarly, the previous incidents of avalanches in 2028, 2052, and 2059 BS in the Dhaulagiri Range had resulted in human and livestock losses.
In the meantime in Myagi, Kaligandaki continues eroding, terrorizing life. Bhurung, Tatopani, Dana, Bainsari, and the district headquarters Beni are unsafe from the river, it is said.
(RSS)
