Nepal’s Rautahat District at High Risk of Flooding Due to Weak River Embankments

Rautahat’s residents are facing a high risk of flooding due to the weak embankments of the Bagmati and Bakaiya rivers. The embankments, which have been damaged over time, are in danger of collapsing, putting dozens of villages, including Gaur Sadarmukam, at risk of being inundated every year.

The damage caused by the flooding results in losses worth millions of rupees, affecting both human life and livestock. Recently, the Bakaiya river embankment burst due to heavy rainfall, affecting the daily life of residents in Rajpur Municipality-4.

According to local resident Prakash Shrestha, the bursting of the Bakaiya river embankment affects over half a dozen municipalities in Rautahat, including Katahariya, Devahi Gonahi, Maulapur, Ishanath, Rajpur, and Gaur. Shrestha emphasized that unless the embankments are made more durable, the residents of the area will continue to face losses and risks every year.

Similarly, the weak embankment of the Bagmati river also poses a threat to the residents of over half a dozen municipalities. According to Shambhu Singh, chairman of Durgabhagawati Rural Municipality, the flooding of the Bagmati river affects the riverbank settlements of Durgabhagawati, Gadhimaai, Madhavnarayan, Rajdevi, and Gaur municipalities.

Last year, the flooding of the Bagmati river destroyed paddy worth millions of rupees, and the weak embankment has left the locals in a state of constant fear. Meanwhile, with the water level rising in the Bagmati and Lalbakaiya rivers, a team led by Chief District Officer Dinesh Sagar Bhusal inspected the river control embankments and under-construction structures, taking into account the potential risks.

During the inspection, it was found that the Bagmati river embankment in Rajdevi Municipality-3 had suffered minor damage due to rainfall and river erosion. Bhusal directed the concerned authorities to immediately repair the damaged section and carry out necessary protection work.

The team, led by Bhusal, also inspected the under-construction spur (erosion control structure) on the Lalbakaiya river in Paroha Municipality-3 and inquired about the progress of the work, the condition of the embankment, and potential risks. Bhusal emphasized the need for regular monitoring and preparedness in sensitive areas to minimize potential damage during the monsoon season.

He also urged the residents of the riverbank areas to remain vigilant and report any information related to disasters to the security agencies immediately. The inspection team included Ganpati Vishwaas Bishwa of the Narayan Dal Group, Police Inspector Sitaram Rijal of the Rautahat District Police Office, Armed Police Inspector Ramhari Adhikari, and National Investigation Department Director Kumar Budhathoki.