DISASTERS MANAGEMENT IS LIMITED TO SPEECH IN THE RURAL CONTEXT OF NEPAL

DISASTER MANAGEMENT IS LIMITED TO SPEECH IN THE RURAL CONTEXT OF NEPAL

Sometimes, even if the policies and procedures are adequate, the ground risks and problems are not addressed timely. Bajhang is one of the floods and landslides affected districts by unforeseen heavy rainfall of October 2021. The government and agencies recorded it as a high-risk settlement but, people are compelled to live by facing multiple hazards until the next option. The wondering factor is that their problem has been discussed in many places and also spent a huge budget but the risks are being more serious and sensitive 

1. High-risk village of Seti riverside, Bajhang (PC: Tek Singh Bhat) 

Climate change in Nepal, in recent years, has been the cause of major disaster events and is linked intractably to many such predicaments. One of the biggest changes we have seen in Nepal is the change in monsoon patterns in recent years, with the global circulation model (GCM) projects of increase in temperature between 0.5 0C to 2.0 0C with a multi-model mean of 1.4 0C by 2030s. This is certainly linked to changes in precipitation with at least a 14% decrease to 40% increase during monsoon. The changes, however, are already apparent. 

2. The Risk settlement of Bajhang, (PC: Tek Singh Bhat )

Nepal this year received above-normal precipitation. World Bank data estimates that Western Nepal to experience an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme precipitation events. During late July and early August of 2021, Melamchi, one of the economic centres in Bagmati Province, Sindhupalchowk district faced devastating flash floods in decades sweeping more than two dozen houses and displacing more than a hundred families. Similarly, unseasonal heavy rain was beginning October 17, 2021, in the West of Nepal and continuing for several days and moved towards the East on October 19, 2021, causing havoc among many Nepali families. Authorities had reported deaths of at least 80 people due to the rain-triggered floods and landslides with billions of rupees in loss to roads, bridges, hydropower stations and other physical infrastructure. For the farmers, it was just the beginning of the harvesting season and the inundation caused by the heavy rainfall meant harvest-ready paddy fields were submerged in water causing the loss of billions in rupees for farmers. According to the official figures from the Office of Police Headquarters, Sudurpaschim Province, at least 37 people in the province had lost their lives, while another 17 people were sustained injuries, and at least 22 people have been still missing. Districts such as Doti and Bajhang had faced the highest number of death tolls with 16- and 12-people's deaths respectively, while the farmers in districts of Dadeldhura and Kailali incurred the biggest losses in their agricultural produce. The Agriculture Knowledge Center in Kailali estimated a loss of around 4 billion Nepali rupees alone in the Kailali district due to the sudden rainfall with over 38,000 hectares of paddy field completely destroyed, and over 17,000 hectares of paddy field partly destroyed. The Center also estimated around 75% of total farmers were affected, with over 83,000 households had listed as the most affected. (Reference: ministry of agriculture & livestock reports, October 2021)  

The federal and provincial governments had decided to come with relief plans for the affected households. The Sudurpaschim Province government had planned to mobilize around 250 million Nepali rupees in relief and recovery efforts. Similarly, the federal government had announced cash relief to the farmers up to 67 per cent of the loss to the smallholder farmers, the date and process of such disbursement are still unknown. As the farmers wait for relief from the authorities, they are in a state of bewilderment on how to adapt to the recent catastrophe. 

The affected families are currently struggling to meet their ends. With their produce lost due to inundation, market structures disturbed, homes and livestock destroyed, and with no apparent livelihood opportunities, the flood-affected families need immediate support to continue their living.  

3. A small village surrounded by the Seti River, Bajhang (PC: TEK)

4. Flood Affected Area of Deura, Bajhang (PC: TEK Singh Bhat)

5. A temporary bridge, built by the locals after washing away the suspension bridge. (PC:  TEK )

Individual opinion based on the field experiments and observation

Thank you!