Joint initiative aims to reduce flood risk in Sunsari, Udayapur

By Sachin Pokhrel,Itahari, June 30: Every year, the Saptakoshi River poses the threat of floods, erosion and inundation with the commencement of monsoon. But this year, Sunsari and Udayapur districts have started making early preparations to minimise the damage.

A new strategy has also been prepared with the involvement of key authorities from both districts to control the floods, erosion and waterlogging caused by the Saptakoshi River.

Keeping in mind the risk of destruction to settlements, farmlands, roads, schools, agriculture and livestock, a major workshop was held the other day in Itahari under the leadership of the Nepali Army. 

Representatives from the concerned authorities of both districts took part in the event. The workshop prepared a new strategy to manage and reduce the impacts of floods, erosion and inundation caused by the Saptakoshi River.

The event was organised by the Nepali Army’s Bhagwati Dal Battalion based in Itahari. High-ranking security and administrative officials from the Nepali Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, District Administration Offices, local government representatives, the Red Cross and other concerned agencies participated in the workshop.

Rajen Bhujel, Battalion Commander of Bhagwati Dal, informed that an inter-district coordination-based strategy was developed to reduce the risks and impacts of potential floods from the Saptakoshi River.

The strategy includes starting rescue, relief and information management within 24 hours if a flood occurs.

The overflowing Saptakoshi River has been causing devastation every year, especially in Barahakshetra, Chatara, Bhantabari, Inaruwa, Laukahi and surrounding areas of Sunsari, and in Belaka Municipality of Udayapur. 

On August 18, 2008 (Bhadra 2, 2065 BS), when the Saptakoshi breached its embankment, thousands of people from West Kushaha, Harinagara, Sripur and Laukahi were displaced overnight. Around 50,000 people were affected.

Every year, the start of the monsoon brings fear of flooding to residents of Sunsari and Udayapur. Villages south of Chatara in Sunsari are at risk of being swept away by floods, while in the Belaka Municipality of Udayapur, both homes and farms face inundation.

When the flood enters settlements, hundreds of families living along the Saptakoshi are displaced each year. To reduce this annual fear and impact, this time, all security forces, administrative bodies, local governments and stakeholders have come together to prepare and implement a special strategy from the beginning of the monsoon, said Sunsari’s Chief District Officer, Dharmendra Mishra.

Participants from security and administrative bodies and local governments have committed that preparations will not remain limited to paperwork. “We already have coordination between all three security bodies, the local government and the Red Cross. We are ready to act within 24 hours if a disaster strikes,” said Battalion Commander Bhujel.

The strategy focuses on five key points, including: making decisions, sharing information and distributing relief within 24 hours of a flood; identifying high-risk areas and relocating people in time, ensuring safe and proper relief distribution after rescue; making preparedness exercises regular and practical; and delivering risk information to every household.

In addition, relief materials such as food, tarpaulins, clothing, basic medicines, and utensils for 150 people have been kept ready. Two rubber boats, a pick-up van, and an ambulance have also been prepared.

During the event, Red Cross representatives stressed the need to identify ‘low-risk areas’ to safely relocate flood-affected people.

Ramesh Karki, Mayor of Barahakshetra Municipality, stressed the need to focus on building 'preparedness-based structures' rather than merely responding after disasters strike. He said, “Our first priority is to deliver risk information to every household, raise awareness, identify safe areas and relocate people in time.”

The programme was also attended by Belaka Municipality Deputy Mayor Jiya Rai, Sunsari Chief District Officer Dharmendra Mishra, Udayapur Chief District Officer Prem Prasad Luitel, Nepali Army’s No. 2 Brigade Assistant Major General Dil Bikram Subba, and others.