One dies after falling off tuin in Darchula

BY LOKENDRA JOSHI,Darchula, Apr. 23: Sindal Singh Bhandari  of Byas Rural Municipality-2 has died after falling from tuin in Darchula. 

Wardchair Dhiren Singh Budhathoki informed that the 45-year-old fell into Mahakali River in Dumling while traveling to Indian market in Dharchula from his home. Locals and security personnel conducted a search right after he fell, he added. 

64 people lost lives in 65 years

Since 1959, 64 people have drowned in the Mahakali River in Darchula alone after falling from tuin. Of which, only three dead bodies have been found so far while the remaining are still missing. The ward office has enlisted 61people as missing. 

Among those who had fallen into the Mahakali River, only the dead bodies of Sindal Singh Bhandari, Dilip Singh Dhami and Bir Singh Dhami of Byas Rural Municipality-5 have been found.

The highest number of people – 25 – from Ward No. 2 of Byas Rural Municipality had gone missing after falling from tuin. Similarly, 19 people from Ward No. 5, eight people from Ward No. 6, five from Ward No. 6 and three from Ward No. 4 had gone missing.

What’s more, one from Naugada Rural Municipality of Darchula, one from Bhimeshwor Municipality-6 of Dolakha, one from Lamki of Kailali, one unidentified person had fallen from the tuin into Mahakali River. 

Five died while crossing by tube  

People have been crossing the river risking their lives crossing the Mahakali River. In places where there are no bridges or tuin, especially in Darchula, the locals have been purchasing daily necessities including food from Indian market. Since there is no tuin in the area, people have been using tube of a car to cross the river. Five people have lost their lives in this process. They all were residents of Lekam Rural Municipality.

In 2012, Damodar Joshi, 32, and Arjun Pant, 30, died riding the tube at Khanyaghat. In 2009, Shiva Raj Pant, 35, lost his life at Gaudegada. Ganesh Dhami, 48, fell into the river in 2004.

10 suspension bridges 

A total of 10 suspension bridges connecting Nepal with India over the Mahakali River in Darchula have come into operation. In the last two years, Nepal government has constructed four bridges over the river under the Tuin Displacement Programme. 

Chief District Officer Kiran Joshi informed that since 2016, suspension bridges have been constructed at Lali of Lekam Rural Municipality-3, Banku of Malikarjun Rural Municipality-6, Badugaun and Tigaram of Byas Rural Municipality-6, Malgaun of Byas Rural Municipality-2 and Malghatte of Byas Rural Municipality-4. 

Meanwhile, construction of the motorable bridge connecting Asigada of Mahakali Municipality-8 in Darchula and Mallacharchum of Pithauragadh in India is underway.