From Flowing Rivers to Dry Ravines

 A River Transformed in Two Months Just two months ago, in September, during the rainfall, I stood before a river full of life, its waters stretching from one bank to the other. Today, that very place resembles a rubble storage site—bare, sandy, and devoid of water. How could this river change so drastically in such a short time? 

This stark transformation is not an isolated case. Traveling along the 100 km highway stretch from Pathalaiya (Bara District) to Bardibas (Mahottari District), I have observed over 20 such rivers. During the monsoon, they are raging torrents, but for the rest of the year, they appear lifeless—just expanses of white sand and gravel. These sights leave one questioning: What is happening to our rivers and landscapes? 

A Wake-Up Call: The 2024 September Floods The urgency of this issue was underscored during the catastrophic floods of September 27-28, 2024. Relentless rains caused devastating flooding, landslides, and lightning strikes across Nepal, resulting in 246 fatalities, 18 missing persons, and 178 injuries (Nepal Police, October 2024). The devastation underscores the fragility of our environment and our growing vulnerability to climate-induced disasters. 

Beyond Mitigation: The compensation and resettlement of affected communities are essential, but they address only the symptoms. We must think beyond mitigation. Comprehensive actions are needed to prevent such disasters, including strengthening soil and water conservation, implementing afforestation, adopting sustainable agriculture, and improving watershed management, which are critical to restoring water absorption, stabilizing soils, and balancing water flow throughout the year (FAO, 2021; IPCC, 2022; UNCCD, 2022; WRI, 2023).

The Cost of Inaction If we fail to act, our rivers will continue to disappear, forests and settlements will degrade, and sandy wastelands will expand. The thought of such a future—a barren landscape incapable of sustaining life—is deeply troubling. 

While I am not an expert in this field, my travels and observations compel me to raise these concerns. Protecting our environment is not just the responsibility of governments and experts—it is a shared responsibility. We must act collectively, innovate boldly, and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come. 

Let us not wait for more disasters to force us into action. Let’s start today.

Your observations, experiences, or thoughts on this issue are welcome. Together, we can work towards meaningful change.

Thank you, Tek Bhat

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