Bajura. Nearly two dozen families have been displaced due to the severe floods in the Beere Khola waterfall. With the incessant rains since last night, 23 families have been displaced due to the massive floods in the Beere Khola.

Lal Singh Saud, a local, said that the lake was formed by blocking the river due to the landslide triggered by incessant rains and after the lake burst, there was a big flood in Beere Khola located on the border of Badimalika Municipality-6 and 8 in the district headquarters Martadi. “Last night at around 8 pm, there was a big flood in Beere Khola after the incessant rain. Then we came out of the house, there is no food or shelter till now,” he said.

Although the flood did not cause any human or physical damage, 23 families were displaced after a major flood hit the middle of the village. Saud said that 18 more families are also at risk.

Acting ward chairperson of Badimalika Municipality-6, Parey Baduwal, said that 41 families of Birekhola have been affected by the massive flood. According to him, the flood has damaged a fish pond, two water tanks and a ticket counter of the Birekhola waterfall. The paddy fields have been turned into barren crops after being swept away. Ward chairperson Baduwal said that the families displaced by the floods have been shifted to safer places.

The Bajura district branch of the Nepal Red Cross Society has immediately provided tarpaulins to the flood-affected families. According to Bipin Bista, deputy minister of the Red Cross Bajura branch, tarpaulins have been distributed to 23 displaced families.

That day five years ago, the same risk again

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Not only now, the residents of Veere Khola have been living in fear of floods and landslides for the past five years. On August 12, 2020, the flood in the Budhiganga river had washed away a lot of agricultural land here. The land that farmers had been cultivating for generations was buried with sand and stones in an instant. For some, it was a farm, for others, it was a base to support their families. That land became a barren land after the flood.

After the flood stopped, the river returned to its old course. But the wounds inflicted by the flood remained the same in the hearts and soil of the locals. The current flood has turned that old fear into reality again. After being displaced, it has once again been seen how serious the risk of flooding is in Veere Khola. For the locals, this is not just a calamity, it is a recurring crisis.

“On the one hand, there is the pain of losing arable land, while on the other hand, we are not able to live and stay safe,” said Kali Saud, a local. ”

Fear Hidden in Beauty

The Birekhola waterfall, which is about 6 kilometers away from the district headquarters Martadi, is the main attraction of domestic tourists. The Budhiganga river is flowing in its courtyard. Looking at the flow of the river in normal conditions, it seems like a beautiful view of nature for the residents here.

With the onset of the rainy season, people from different places of the district and even from the neighboring district of Achham come to observe the waterfall and take photos and videos. But with the onset of the rainy season, the beauty of this Bire Khola has become a cause of fear for the locals.

As the water rises, along with the roar of the river, fear enters the settlements here – worried about when the houses and farms will be washed away. “The Budhiganga river flows in the courtyard and the Veere river flows in the middle of the village,” said Matikala Khadka, a local. Not only yesterday, but in the past, the agricultural land has been swept away due to repeated floods. We are afraid of which day we will be swept away by the house. ”

The land has become a mess, now the house is going to be swept away

For the families dependent on agriculture, farming is not just a piece of land, but the main basis of livelihood. Many families had lost their production base after the floods of 2077 BS turned the arable land into a barren land. Kamala Saud, a local, said that the problem has worsened after the flood of the Birekhola waterfall has also threatened the house. “There is no farm, now the house is not safe,” she said, “Where will we go? There is nowhere else to go.” ”

For the locals of Birekhola, who have been at risk of river erosion and floods for years, the current flood has once again raised the same question. First the farm was lost, now will the house also be lost? Although 23 families have been shifted to a safe place for the time being, the long-term risk of Beere Khola remains the same, said Parare Baduwal, acting ward chairman of Badimalika-6. Assistant Chief District Officer Laxman Pudasaini said that the work of collecting the exact details of the damage caused by the floods and understanding the incident is underway.