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Jogbudha River erodes farmland in Kanchanpur
Continuous riverbank erosion at Kutiyakhabar Village in Mahakali Municipality-10, Kanchanpur, is threatening to wipe out a large area of farmland.Bhawani Bhatta
Continuous riverbank erosion at Kutiyakhabar Village in Mahakali Municipality-10, Kanchanpur, is threatening to wipe out a large area of farmland.
Jogbudha River has been continuously eroding its banks for the past one month, putting the nearby farmland and homes at risk.
Villagers said the riverbank erosion started after the Indian side directed the water from the Sharada Canal to the river.
“The river has already eroded around 700 meters of land here,” said Tej Bahadur Sunar, a Kutiyakhabar resident. “At least 10 families will be displaced if the erosion continues.” A suspension bridge in the village is also in danger.
Nara Bahadur Sunar, ward chairman of Mahakali-10, said the river was eroding the foundation of the bridge.
“The bridge will collapse if the erosion does not stop. We have already stopped transporting heavy goods across the bridge because of the danger,” he said.
The riverbank erosion has also affected the nearby settlement of Sundarnagar.
The people have repeatedly demanded the authorities concerned to build a permanent embankment, but to no avail.
“Every year, with the end of monsoon season, we have to put up with flood and erosion threats. The authorities should either talk with the Indian side to end this problem or build a permanent embankment,” said Gagan Khatri, a local man.
Sunar said their only defence at the moment is building a biological embankment. “Building a permanent embankment takes planning, funds and time,” he said.