Monsoon floods, landslides

Stay prepared

Published On: May 10, 2018 01:00 AM NPT By: Republica  | @RepublicaNepal


Arrival of monsoon should be a moment for celebration as the majority of Nepalis involved in agriculture, which sustains our economy, depend on it for plantation. It is the time when farmers prepare for paddy plantation to sustain livelihood for the rest of the year—more so for people living in Tarai plains, the country’s food basket. But over the last few years monsoon has become a source of worry and trepidation for the vast majority of people in the plains and hills.

Only last year, worst flood of the decades claimed over 150 lives and caused irreparable damage of properties and livestock in Tarai. Due to lack of effective disaster preparedness measures and effective early warning system, even the lives that could have been saved were lost. Incidents of landslides were witnessed in the hill districts as well.  Many of the victims have not been able to come to terms with the loss. A number of them are yet to receive government assistance. As monsoon is approaching, every effort must be made to ensure that similar stories do not unfold this year.

Floods and landslides destroy our highways and disrupt vehicular movement for days even leading to road accidents. In Chitwan, for example, 97 people lost their lives in 195 road accidents which occurred along the Naryanghat–Mungling road in the last ten months. Police officials have warned that when traffic on the highway is obstructed by landslides, vehicles plying on it are at great risk of being crushed. Last year, landslides blocked the road for several days—for as long as 43 hours on some days.

Due to lack of arrangement for a prompt clearing of debris, vehicular moment is affected frequently. Even the pedestrians succumb to landslides—eight pedestrians were killed after being hit by landslides last year. Sadly, even today we lack efficient mechanism to remove debris and to improve road safety measures, in case landslides strike again. We seem to have learned no lessons from the past tragedies and obstruction of roadways. The road widening project that started three years ago is yet to be completed. Worryingly, several landslides have already been witnessed along this section this year even before the start of the monsoon.

It must be ensured that people do not become the victims of natural disasters this year. For this, we need to equip the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology with technology and human resources. In an interview with Republica August last year, Rajendra Sharma, Chief of Flood Forecasting Section of the office, had said that with sufficient manpower and reliable technology, early warning system can be made more effective and deaths can be prevented.

He had outlined the need for more technology experts and opening of flood forecasting offices in all seven provinces. This message must not be lost to the government. Often, we realize the importance of early warning system and disaster preparedness measures only when disasters strike. It should not be so anymore. We may not be able to prevent natural disasters but we should be able to save lives. Effective early warning system and preparedness measures must be ensured with urgency, before the monsoon wrecks havoc. 
 


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