The inevitable has occurred. And, as usual, it’s only long past the tragedy that the government ostensibly realised where it had left the cracks open. The horror of Koshi floods has barely escaped our mind that the wrath of the river seems to be on the rise again. Two people have died and several others still missing after a boat capsized in the river. Barely a few months have passed, when the floods left scores of people dead and tens of thousands displaced. Fortunately, individuals, private institutions and social organisations chipped in to support and rehabilitate the people in need. Political leaders have paid numerous visits since, but only to fester the feeling of resentment that people harboured against them.

Immediate construction of the damaged highway and infrastructure, destroyed by the floods are perhaps too much to expect from the government drained of its resources. However, resumption of transport by making available ferry services across the river too seems to have come to passengers at a dear price. Following the recent mishap, authorities are learnt to have tightened regulations governing the operation of ferry services by limiting operating hours and also forbidding boats to carry passengers above their capacity. One wonders what kept the authorities from implementing the same regulations before the mishap took place.