Dhangadi, August 18

As rivers continue to be silted up with sediments from soil erosion and landslides in the Chure range, low-lying areas in Kailali have been facing increased inundation in recent years.

Experts have said depths of rivers such as Mohana, Kandra, Kandha and Patharaiya have been decreasing from siltation leading to more flooding in the district in recent years.

As the ground level and the level of river bed have become almost equal due to silt deposit, even a slight rainfall causes flooding in the area. The ongoing construction of the postal road is also blamed for inundation in the district. “As the road level is just two metres up from the ground level, the natural flow of water in the rivers is obstructed causing inundation,” said Maniram Chaudhary, a local of Kailari.

Places like Sonaphanta, Dailekhi Tole, Krishnanagar, Gorchaura, Khaira, Kandhadhik, Dhusi and Bahadurpur of Bhajani Municipality-8 and Dhansingpur, Narayanpur, Baidi, Bhartapur, Danda Tole, Majhigaun of Tikapurare are considered as the lowest lying areas from the sea level in the district. These places witness flooding every year.

Likewise, a dam built by India in Kailashpur on the Nepal-India border also has a part in inundation. The dam 30 km away from Dhansinghpur Narayanpur, blocks water flow in the Karnali River during monsoon, resulting in flood havoc in villages on the Nepal side.