ITAHARI/UDAYPUR, August 4: More than 20,000 people of Udaypur's Belka Municipality have been displaced as the Saptakoshi River changed its course toward the west and entered human settlements. After almost three and a half decades, Saptakoshi returned to its old course and destroyed human settlements in Belka. The swollen Saptakoshi entered wards 1, 2, 3, 8 and 9 around 4 AM on Wednesday.
Ari Lal Urab, a resident of Belka-3, said, "Even though Koshi has been eroding lands for a few days, the government did not take action." Even before 2045 BS, Koshi flowed in the human settlement where the Koshi has now entered, demolishing the embankment. After the 2045 BS earthquake, the course of Koshi gradually shifted eastward. People started settling in the parts left by the river in 2051. Kisan Rai, another resident of Belka-3, said, "I had never thought that such a disaster would happen. Even before 2040 BS, Koshi had caused pain in the present settlement. Later we thought that it would be calm after Koshi was pushed to the east.”
The residents of Belka said that even though there has been trouble every year since the houses were built, they did not think that Koshi would enter the settlements and cause destruction. Prevention work was also being done at the local level at the place where erosion was continuous for two days.
Recently, the locals were panicking as the river had continuously eroded land for two days. A year ago, a team led by Home Minister Balkrishna Khand conducted an on-site inspection of the Saptakoshi dam on Wednesday. At that time, it was not considered a matter of serious concern. This year, as Saptakoshi changed its course, the residents of five wards of Belka in Udayapur had to face a big disaster. Apart from Belka, two municipalities of Saptari, Saptakoshi and Kanchanpur, have also been affected by Koshi. Residents of Sunsari's Barahakshetra Municipality-6 and 9 have also been affected by Koshi.
Koshi deviates from course, threatens thousands of families
Ashok Karki, the mayor of Belka Municipality, said that no measures were effective to control the erosion. Flooding and erosion started around Dumribote and Sisaulighat after the flood of Koshi breached the embankment and entered the settlement. “Sisaulighat became an island after Koshi broke the embankment and entered the settlements. I have come here by boat," he said, " Sisaulighat is at the highest risk. Here more than 150 households are at risk.” He said that the Bhatepul area of ward no 3 is more at risk.
Ward chairman of Belka-8, Jay Kumar Rai said that the flood victims of Dumribot and Sisaulighat were immediately taken to safe places. He said that about 1,500 people from 150 households at risk have been kept in schools and public buildings. Stating that efforts are currently being made to prevent loss of property due to flooding and erosion, he said that more measures will be sought later. The flood in the Koshi River swept away the old embankment built by the Indian government only last year and entered the town, said Karki.
Mayor Karki said that since last May, the disaster could not be prevented despite several efforts to avert the risk of possible floods. He said that as the flood increased only in the first week of June, he appealed to the provincial and federal governments to avoid possible inundation and erosion, but in spite of plans being made to protect the settlement, the problem became serious after the flood destroyed the embankment. Mayor Karki said that they are now focusing on preventing human and property damage. "Right now, we are focusing on how to prevent the loss of life and property," he said.
Jira Rai, deputy mayor of Belka, said that the Chief District Officer, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force local chiefs have visited the flood-affected areas and conducted on-site monitoring and held a meeting of the Disaster Management Committee to plan for the future. She said that along with Udayapur's Belka, the breach of the western embankment impacted as far as Kunaul in India.
Bihar of India also has to bear the damage caused by the Saptakoshi flood. Koshi floods cause loss of property in Bihar every year. Birendra Yadav, chief district officer of Udayapur, said that the families displaced by the Koshi have now requested the Nepal Red Cross and other organizations to arrange accommodation and short-term relief. According to him, coordination will be done with the Ministry of Home Affairs and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority to arrange a sustainable settlement for the displaced.
Instructions by Home Minister Khand
The Chief Minister of Province 1, Rajendra Kumar Rai, has expressed concern over the destruction of the embankment and the entry of Koshi into human settlements. He has called upon the residents of the river banks to leave the risky places and move to safer places as much as possible. He instructed the local administration, local government and people's representatives, security personnel, Red Cross and other agencies to be aware of the damage that may occur when the river enters human settlements and to join in the relief and rescue operations.
Likewise, Home Minister Bal Krishna Khand has instructed all the relevant agencies to immediately manage the relocation, relief and rescue of the five wards of Belka in Udayapur. Home Minister Khand telephoned Home Secretary Tek Narayan Pandey, Chief Executive Officer of National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority Anil Pokharel, Chief District Officer of Udayapur Birendra Kumar Yadav, etc and instructed them to arrange immediate rescue, relief and temporary accommodation.
