Consequences Of Continuous Rainfall

In general, we have little influence over nature, although we may take different efforts to mitigate its effects and learn how to defend ourselves from it. Last week, it poured extensively in the Kathmandu Valley. The damage has been limited in comparison to the amount of rain. The reason for this is that Kathmandu is safer than many other locations. There are also several settlements around the valley's edge, with the hills acting as a barrier. There is a possibility of landslides in such settlements, but despite the tremendous rain, there haven't been many such news.

As there is no loose soil in the valley, there aren't as many landslides. However, there have been several landslides as well as personal and material losses. There are also several rivers in this area. Other major rivers and streams that flow through the valley are the Bagmati, Bishnumati, Manhara, Rudramati, Karmanasa, and Hanumante. Even if it is modest, when it rains, people may be carried away by floods in all of these rivers since the soil here cannot absorb the water. Hanumante river regularly enters the homes, and flooding occurs in certain sections of Bhaktapur. This year was no exception.

Roads became riverbanks; roads got muddy; and roads, residences, and schools became flooded. The city had devolved into chaos. Everyone knows that this happened because the valley's cities are disorganized. Nature is not only to blame in this. We, as citizens, and our government are both equally responsible. The slums are built without thought, and the water and sewage systems are poorly maintained. Nature is destructive; it cannot be prevented; nevertheless, because the destruction may be lessened, consideration should be given to it from the start of construction. It is necessary to make plans to drain the water. It is normal that flooding will occur if the water does not flow.

There are dangers everywhere. Not just because of the rain, but also for a variety of other causes, numerous issues have arisen. We should have measures in place to mitigate such hazards. Rain occurred beyond the valley this morning as well. There was damage, and several people died, but the harm should be considered little in comparison to the rain. It might also be due to prudence. Kathmandu Valley is a secure and distant location. As a result, staying here is safer than staying anyplace else. Despite the city's chaos, no human lives were lost.

Because most of the structures here are sturdy, wind and rain have little effect on them. The rain last week also produced no severe or unpleasant harm here. No one is held responsible for the damage caused by natural disasters, however if collapsed structures are not removed or preventative steps are not taken, the responsible body must be held responsible. The Prime Minister has already directed that we prepare for disaster relief. The entities formed for such work and the individuals in charge should not wait for orders; rather, after obtaining instructions, it is critical to demonstrate awareness, prudence, proactivity, and alertness in such work. Everyone must be proactive and on the lookout for the disaster management.

The government should take charge of rescue and relief distribution as needed. Although the latest rains have resulted in fewer human casualties, the material damages have been considerable. It is critical to shed the mindset of treating solely human damage as damage rather than material damage. If a person has nothing except his house being demolished or his farm being swept away by a river or falling victim to a landslide, it is a severe problem for him. There is still a lot of rain in the forecast. We should also be mindful of the probability of such strong rains over the remainder of the year, and the government should plan for disaster management accordingly.