KOSHI FLOOD
1. Background
Nepal is not only one of the least developed countries in the world, it is also equally prone to several disasters such as flash-floods, landslides, fires, occasional earthquakes and epidemics. The main contributing factors of such disasters are: remote, rural, rugged and fragile, geophysical structure of the country where as unplanned settlement, population pressure, weak economy, low literacy rate and lack of public awareness are the underlying factors. Every year, landslide, floods, fire, avalanches, storm, heavy rains, epidemics and various other natural (and man-made) disasters causes the losses of thousands of human lives and the destruction of physical properties worth billions of rupee.
An estimated 70,000 to 75,000 people have been affected by the Saptakoshi River embankment breach on the 2/05/2065. A total of four thousand six hundred thirty (4630) households have been registered in the Sunsari district, representing twenty seven thousand three hundred seventy eight (27378) people. This displaced people were sheltered in 15 camps provided through government and non government agencies.
2. The disaster
On 02/05/2065 the Koshi River broke through an eastern retaining wall/embankment roughly 10 KM north of the East West Highway and flood water has swept away two entire VDCs (Shreepur and Haripur) of Sunsari and damaged a significant section of road which is now submerged by the river. The water stands several meters deep at some areas. The flood has partially affected seven VDCs (Bokhara, Madhuban, Narsingha, Basantapur, Pashim Kusaha, Lauki and Ghuskhi) which are partially inundated. The local populations from these VDCs are partially affected and displaced along with those entirely affected population from two VDCs. Apart from this, some portion of Indian people affected by this flooding have arrived and are being sheltered in several camps.
Currently there are approximately 27,000 people in 15 camps as well...