People collecting logs from flooded Koshi despite danger

By Our Correspondent,Inaruwa, Aug. 16: Every time the water level in the Saptakoshi River rises, people living along its banks in Nepal and India lose sleep. They start fearing the tragedy the river may bring and the pain and devastation it may inflict. 

Some though also get excited because the swollen river brings with it logs that the people can collect for firewood or sell for money. It is dangerous to collect floating logs from the flooded river but over 200 locals of Barahakshetra Municipality and Koshi Rural Municipality gathered at the river with ropes, cycles and tractors to collect the logs. 

When the river floods, it also brings rivers to the banks. This makes it easier for people to trap them and sell them for money. Currently, water levels in the Koshi are the highest they have been in three decades. 

The District Administration Office, security agencies and the local governments have warned people against going near the river. But dozens of people congregate on the riverbanks every morning for wood and fish.