National
Nepal-India joint team visits landslip-hit areas
Nepali and Indian technicians inspected the landslide-affected area in Khotila, Dharchula, India on Friday. The landslide debris had built up a water pressure on the Nepali side of the Mahakali river.Manoj Badu
Nepali and Indian technicians inspected the landslide-affected area in Khotila, Dharchula, India on Friday. The landslide debris had built up a water pressure on the Nepali side of the Mahakali river. The team concluded that the debris could not be removed immediately. “Indian geologists believe that there’s no available area in the river side to throw the landslide debris,” said Narayankaji Shrestha, an engineer at the Mahakali River Control Project.
Partially obstructed by landslide debris in 2016, fresh slides continue to pose risk on both sides of the river, the team observed. “We have asked the Indian authorities to blast the river boulders to make more passage for water flow. The Indian side also agreed to construct a retaining wall to control the landslide,” said Shrestha.
The Nepali and Indian officials have agreed to manage the Khotila landslide after the end of monsoon. According to Shivaraj Joshi, assistant chief district officer, “The landslide debris will be removed from the river after the end of monsoon.” The construction of embankment in Nepali side has come to a halt due to the continuous landslide in Khotila. People in Bangabagad village of Darchula live in constant fear of the debris completely blocking the river and sweeping their homes away.
Five years ago, the flooded Mahakali river swept away 56 homes and killed 12 people.