TIKAPUR, Aug 9: With the rise in water level, the swollen Karnali River has started gushing into the settlement areas in Tikapur-5, Shahipur creating panic among the locals.

The construction of an embankment to the east of the river along Bardiya has forced the water to flow toward Kailali. Few years ago, the Water Induced Disaster Management Office (WIDMO) had constructed a 500-meter embankment in the western side as well, but unfortunately it has been damaged by the river. According to the locals, the river is moving two meters close toward the settlement areas every day. This has left the people worried for their lives.

Until few years ago, there used be a settlement in Shahipur where the river currently flows. However, people living there had to shift elsewhere after the river changed its course.

The locals are trying to prevent the river entering the villages with the help of plastic nets and sandbags provided by the Rani Jamara Kulariya Irrigation Project (RJKIP). However, the effort of the locals alone is not enough to mitigate the risk, says Damodar Khadka, vice-chairperson of RJKIP.

"People are doing their part to stop the river from entering their settlements. But they can't do it alone as the river is eroding the land at great pace," said Khadka.

Lack of sufficient mud and sand in the river banks to fill the sandbags has posed further problem for the people. This has compelled them to carry sand in tractors from four kilometers away.

Locals fear that if the erosion is not stopped in time, they will have to face massive inundation once again.

The Karnali River is likely to enter the settlements in Shahipur, Simreni, Basanta and Dhansinghpur of Tikapur Municipality. Devendra Dhungana, one of the locals, stated that if the government does nothing, the locals should collect money and construct an embankment on their own.

"Currently, piles of sandbags have been preventing water from entering the villages. If the water breaks through the wall of sandbags, we will lose everything," said Dhungana.

Tapendra Bahadur Rawal, mayor of Tikapur Municipality, made a filed visit to the site eroded by Karnali. He has urged the RJKIP to coordinate with the municipality to solve this problem.

"As suggested by the technicians, this is the right time to prevent the river from eroding the land. And we are doing our part to prevent it," claimed mayor Rawal. He stated that the safety of the residents is the first priority of the municipality.

The RJKIP had planned to construct an embankment in the area eroded by the river but could not do so after being unable to approve the tender due to technical problems. Every year, the Karnali River inundates various parts of Kailali such as Sattighat, Sankattighat among others.