FLOODS IN NEPAL
OVERVIEW
Nepal is one of the most beautiful and picturesque Asian countries in the world, with diverse topography and wildlife, encompassing the country and adding to the exquisiteness galore. Among the various wealth Nepal is gifted with, rivers are undoubtedly the most surreal. Nepal has more than 6000 rivers, big and small, the three main river systems of the country being the Koshi, Gandaki and Karnali river systems, all of them originating from glaciers and snow-fed lakes. These rivers contribute in the life of every ordinary household, but once a year, during the monsoons, these rivers turn into foe.
Nepal, being one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world, due to its topography and climatic conditions, has weakened the fragile ecosystem of the country. Among the various disasters that occasionally destroy the lives of the Nepalese people, is the floods, that occurs every monsoon, around June to September. This time of the year, the level of the water in the rivers rise dangerously, and cause floods, that lead to landslides that results to the loss of hundreds of lives.
Nepal is one of the most beautiful and picturesque Asian countries in the world, with diverse topography and wildlife, encompassing the country and adding to the exquisiteness galore. Among the various wealth Nepal is gifted with, rivers are undoubtedly the most surreal. Nepal has more than 6000 rivers, big and small, the three main river systems of the country being the Koshi, Gandaki and Karnali river systems, all of them originating from glaciers and snow-fed lakes. These rivers contribute in the life of every ordinary household, but once a year, during the monsoons, these rivers turn into foe.
Nepal, being one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world, due to its topography and climatic conditions, has weakened the fragile ecosystem of the country. Among the various disasters that occasionally destroy the lives of the Nepalese people, is the floods, that occurs every monsoon, around June to September. This time of the year, the level of the water in the rivers rise dangerously, and cause floods, that lead to landslides that results to the loss of hundreds of lives.
PROBLEM STATEMENT
Every monsoon, the rivers swell and cause damage to the villages, the homes and mainly crops. People and livestock are abandoned and misplaced in the river basins. Nepal has witnessed various major floods throughout history; the Tinao Basin in 1978, the Koshi River in 1980, Tadi River in 1985, Sunkoshi basin in 1987 and the devastating cloud burst Kulekhani in 1993 which alone claimed the lives of 1336 people. Beginning on 11 August 2017, the worst rains in 15 years struck Nepal, triggering widespread large-scale flooding and landslides in 31 of the country's 75 districts. Search and rescue efforts have been initiated in all affected districts. A total of 8,300 trained security forces (5,600 Nepal Police, 1,700 Armed Police Force and 1,000 Nepal Army) as well as 700 civil servants have been deployed. The full extent of the disaster is not yet known. Many affected areas remain inaccessible due to damaged roads and bridges, while Biratnagar airport in the east of is completely inundated.
Every monsoon, the rivers swell and cause damage to the villages, the homes and mainly crops. People and livestock are abandoned and misplaced in the river basins. Nepal has witnessed various major floods throughout history; the Tinao Basin in 1978, the Koshi River in 1980, Tadi River in 1985, Sunkoshi basin in 1987 and the devastating cloud burst Kulekhani in 1993 which alone claimed the lives of 1336 people. Beginning on 11 August 2017, the worst rains in 15 years struck Nepal, triggering widespread large-scale flooding and landslides in 31 of the country's 75 districts. Search and rescue efforts have been initiated in all affected districts. A total of 8,300 trained security forces (5,600 Nepal Police, 1,700 Armed Police Force and 1,000 Nepal Army) as well as 700 civil servants have been deployed. The full extent of the disaster is not yet known. Many affected areas remain inaccessible due to damaged roads and bridges, while Biratnagar airport in the east of is completely inundated.
CURRENT SITUATION
31 out of 75 districts are under the influence of flood, landslides and inundation, esp. in the plain areas with more than 100 deaths reported. The country experienced incessant and heavy downpour, the most in the last 15 years, leading the water levels in the rivers to exceed the danger level. One of the major disappointment was the Government’s inability to overlook the situation, and the delay in the action. One more reason for the flood is the Indian dams built in the Nepal-India border ceasing the natural flow of water, and causing the water levels to increase, thus displacing thousands of homes, people, and huge proportion of land.
31 out of 75 districts are under the influence of flood, landslides and inundation, esp. in the plain areas with more than 100 deaths reported. The country experienced incessant and heavy downpour, the most in the last 15 years, leading the water levels in the rivers to exceed the danger level. One of the major disappointment was the Government’s inability to overlook the situation, and the delay in the action. One more reason for the flood is the Indian dams built in the Nepal-India border ceasing the natural flow of water, and causing the water levels to increase, thus displacing thousands of homes, people, and huge proportion of land.
According to the Ministry of Agricultural Development, the recent floods have affected 31 districts, 19 of which are severely devastated. The floodwaters have wiped out 8.11 billion worth of crops, 3.18 billion of paddy, 2.96 billion vegetables, 0.800 billion fishes, 0.536 billion of pulses, 0.334 billion turmeric and 0.241 billion worth of maize. Such a loss for a nation based majorly on agriculture, is quite irreparable, and overwhelming.
According to the Ministry of Agricultural Development, the recent floods have affected 31 districts, 19 of which are severely devastated. The floodwaters have wiped out 8.11 billion worth of crops, 3.18 billion of paddy, 2.96 billion vegetables, 0.800 billion fishes, 0.536 billion of pulses, 0.334 billion turmeric and 0.241 billion worth of maize. Such a loss for a nation based majorly on agriculture, is quite irreparable, and overwhelming.
The victims are seeking food, medicine and shelter. The main reason of concern is the scarcity of pure drinking water, and experts fear the development of water-borne diseases. The government of Nepal is currently distributing dry food from the choppers but it’s not sufficing the actual demand. They have been operating 13 choppers daily for the relief program, but it’s not enough.
According to Ministry of Home Affairs, there have been 3649 incidents of natural disasters including flood, landslide and fire between the period of 2016 April 13 to 2017 August 16 in Nepal. There were 819 deaths, 127 people missing and 1268 people injured during this period. A total of 29,345 households were affected and 14,698 houses were completely lost, 3981 houses partially affected, 1114 sheds destroyed and 10530 livestock losses. The total lost in amount was 4,26,31,52,306 rupees (more than four billion rupees).
According to Ministry of Home Affairs, there have been 3649 incidents of natural disasters including flood, landslide and fire between the period of 2016 April 13 to 2017 August 16 in Nepal. There were 819 deaths, 127 people missing and 1268 people injured during this period. A total of 29,345 households were affected and 14,698 houses were completely lost, 3981 houses partially affected, 1114 sheds destroyed and 10530 livestock losses. The total lost in amount was 4,26,31,52,306 rupees (more than four billion rupees).
PROPOSED PLAN OF ACTION
Currently, numerous NGOs, INGOs, governmental and private organizations have been trying to provide aid to all the flood-inflicted victims, but not everywhere is accessible, so any and all help would help in reaching all the 31 districts that have suffered from floods leading to landslides. Thousands of homes and inhabitants have been displaced and rescuing every single one is next to impossible.
Currently, numerous NGOs, INGOs, governmental and private organizations have been trying to provide aid to all the flood-inflicted victims, but not everywhere is accessible, so any and all help would help in reaching all the 31 districts that have suffered from floods leading to landslides. Thousands of homes and inhabitants have been displaced and rescuing every single one is next to impossible.
We are looking forward to distribute food, clothing, and tents/tarpaulin to more than 500 victims, and assist in the process to provide quick aid. In collaboration with local and international INGOs, plus the government and other volunteers, we will be able to sustain the relief, making sure that no more lives are lost.
The experts fear scarcity of food throughout the year because of the inundation of the paddy fields, caused by the flood. Along with that, water purification system and medical supplies need to be installed, for the prevention of water-borne diseases and epidemics. Since the major Nepali festivals are approaching, we are looking forward to managing mobile health camps, water purification system for safe drinking water, providing blankets and tents/tarpaulins as winter is coming, as many lost homes can’t be recovered right away, by the end of September.
The plan will start from the most inaccessible and most affected areas where other organizations haven’t been able to provide aid yet. We are planning to run this plan of action the soonest we can, and require some further assistance for its fulfilment.
The experts fear scarcity of food throughout the year because of the inundation of the paddy fields, caused by the flood. Along with that, water purification system and medical supplies need to be installed, for the prevention of water-borne diseases and epidemics. Since the major Nepali festivals are approaching, we are looking forward to managing mobile health camps, water purification system for safe drinking water, providing blankets and tents/tarpaulins as winter is coming, as many lost homes can’t be recovered right away, by the end of September.
The plan will start from the most inaccessible and most affected areas where other organizations haven’t been able to provide aid yet. We are planning to run this plan of action the soonest we can, and require some further assistance for its fulfilment.
