Foot trail ravage leaves rural residents in hardship

By Jaiman Budha Magar,Rukum East, Aug. 4: A devastating landslide has swept away the footrail in Bhalukhapche, on the border of Sisne Rural Municipality-2 and Puthauttarganga Rural Municipality-14, leaving the locals in a dire situation.

Since the landslide on July 26, locals have been forced to navigate the perilous terrain using ropes and grass, risking their lives each time they need to commute. The Saniveri River rages below, making any misstep potentially fatal. With no alternative routes available due to the steep hills surrounding Bhalukhapche, residents have no choice but to rely on these precarious makeshift trails.

Khadka Bahadur KC of Sisne Rural Municipality-2, Pwang, said that the locals themselves have installed ropes and grass to cross the slope. The loss of the footpath has halted the transportation of goods and the movement of patients, including pregnant women, resulting in severe hardships for the community. “It’s been more than a week since we’ve been living in this dire situation, we feel abandoned by our government,” said KC.

The disruption of the footpath has affected residents of Sisne Rural Municipality-1, 2, and Puthauttarganga Rural Municipality-7, 8, 9, and 14. The region’s geography makes the construction of roads exceedingly difficult, and most paths are rudimentary, built with iron bars and wood.

Krishna Bahadur Khadka, Ward Chair of Sisne Rural Municipality-2, stated that while efforts are being made to reopen the main footpath, the continuous landslides and steep slopes make it a daunting task. A significant budget and technical support are required to ensure safe and reliable road maintenance.

Chair Khadka also expressed concern over potential starvation, as the blocked path threatens the supply of essential goods like salt, oil, and rice. He warned that if the footpath wasn’t restored soon, the community would face severe food shortages. Appeals have been made to both state and union authorities for urgent intervention.

Sisne Rural Municipality Chairman Krishna Regmi echoed these concerns, emphasising that discussions were underway to find a solution to the crisis, despite the challenging security situation.

The plight of the residents of Bhalukhapche, conducting their lives on ropes and grass with the Saniveri River below, underscores urgent need for sustainable infrastructure in the region.