Kutiyakabar residents still live under flood threat despite improved access
Mahendranagar: Khadke Budha has been living in Kutiyakabar, Ward No. 10 of Dodhara Chadanni Municipality, since 2024 BS. At that time, more than 100 families resided in the border village adjoining India, but now only 32 families remain.
Budha said that residents of Kutiyakabar, a geographically remote settlement in the district, have long been facing recurring floods and erosion. “When the settlement was established in 2024 BS, it was more out of a sense of duty to protect the border than personal interest. Although there has been progress over time, the persistent fear of floods and erosion has led to increasing migration from the village,” he said.
Located near the Mahakali River and the Dosadha of the Jogbudha River in Kanchanpur, the settlement experiences severe river erosion every monsoon. Budha said that constructing a 50 to 60 meter embankment at the confluence of the two rivers is necessary for protection. “The flood that occurred two weeks ago destroyed eight nets and swept away two spurs, but villagers have built a temporary embankment through voluntary labor,” he added.
Until 2075 BS, residents relied on boats to cross the Jogbudha River for transportation. This changed eight years ago with the construction of a suspension bridge. “Travel became easier after the bridge was built, and the village also saw development, including electricity and lighting,” Budha said. “However, since 2039 BS, we have not been free from the impacts of floods and erosion.”
Tek Bahadur Sunar, chairperson of the Kutiyakabar Disaster Management Committee, said that two safe houses have been constructed in the settlement for flood rescue, with support from the Nepali Army and donor agencies. “The two rivers have eroded hundreds of bighas of land here. Leaders and officials visit for monitoring, but we settled here not for comfort but to protect the border. Despite this, we have not received adequate attention,” he said.
Sunar also noted that wild animals and stray cattle have recently been causing significant damage in the village. “Work on the embankment still has about 35 to 40 meters remaining,” he said, adding that India is also constructing embankments on its side from the Dasgaja area to prevent erosion.
Ward chairperson Chandra Bahadur Singh of Dodhara Chadanni Municipality-10 said that 700 meters of embankment has been constructed in the area. “A 30 meter section collapsed due to inadequate drainage, but with collective efforts, temporary protection work has been carried out,” he said.
Rajan Raj Bhattarai, head of the Irrigation and Water Resources Management Project in Mahendranagar, said that work will be undertaken to manage water drainage in Kutiyakabar.