Rehabilitating displaced people should also be a government priority
It's been only about a fortnight that the monsoon has entered Nepal, but it has already caused heavy devastation and loss of lives in the eastern hills. At least 13 people have died in the floods and landslides caused by the sudden heavy rains in the eastern hills, even as other parts of the country are witnessing a dry spell. Due to climate change, it's been an extremely hot season this year, with people still waiting for the monsoon rains for some respite and, of course, to plant paddy. However, according to meteorologists, 2023 is going to see below average monsoon rains. This, however, is not to say that there will be reduced risk of floods and landslides. Erratic monsoon rains this year, according to the weathermen, could cause heavy damage with heavy rains concentrated at one particular place while showering scanty precipitation in areas even close by. Last week, heavy rains in Sankhuwasabha not only destroyed the six-megawatt Hewakhola hydropower project but also swept away 20 people working at the site.
The monsoon usually starts in Nepal in the second week of June and lasts till the third week of September, when the country sees 80 per cent of its annual precipitation. However, in contrast to the past years, rainfall patterns are becoming more and more unpredictable as a result of climate change, leading to disastrous outcomes in terms of floods and landslides. Heavy rainfall within a short duration of an hour, as in Sankhuwasabha and other hilly districts of eastern Nepal, poses severe risks of natural disasters. According to the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICI- MOD), the below average monsoon projection for 2023 is similar to that of 2014, which proved to be calamitous for the country. Heavy rains in August over three days that year caused massive flooding and landslides in 18 districts, leading to 53 deaths and spawning massive displacement and huge economic losses. Nine years later, we do not want a repeat of the situation, and the country should be better prepared to handle any eventuality.
However, the monsoon has just become activated, and the loss of lives and devastation seen in the eastern hills are a grim reminder to the government to be on high alert to help with the rescue and relief operations. Early warning and information about flashfloods provide adequate time for people to move to safer places, although not much can be done to save property. Thus, setting up such stations across the country in major flood-prone tributaries should be the priority of the government. As always, it is the security forces that are at the forefront of any rescue operation during a natural disaster. Hence, given the unpredictability of the monsoon rains this season, extra vigilance on their part is expected. During any natural disaster, rescue and relief operations seem to be the only government priority, leaving those who have lost their homes to fend for themselves once the monsoon rains recede. They need to be rehabilitated in a safer zone where they can pick up with their lives and engage in productive economic activities. People's representatives in the House of Representatives have the onus to push for their rehabilitation.
Direct flights to Beijing
Himalayan Airlines, a joint venture of Nepali and Chinese entrepreneurs, has resumed direct flights from Kathmandu to Beijing every Saturday. The airline started its flight after a hiatus of three years due to the coronavirus pandemic. Bishnu Pukar, the ambassador of Nepal to China, flew to Beijing in the resumed first direct flight on Himalayan Airlines.
Direct flights between the two capitals will play a significant role in promoting tourism and business as well as enhancing cultural relations between the two countries. As the ambassador to China, Pukar should also take initiatives to start daily flights from the Gautam Buddha International Airport (GBIA) and Pokhara Regional International Airport (PRIA) to various Chinese cities. A chartered flight from China to the PRIA last week was a good start, but the authorities from both the sides must do proper homework to conduct regular flights to and from the PRIA and GBIA. While Pokhara is the most popular destination for Chinese tourists, GBIA can also attract many Chinese and Tibetan Buddhists for a pilgrimage to Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, and its surrounding areas. The government must come up with a business plan to make both the airports popular destinations among the Chinese tourists.
A version of this article appears in the print on June 26, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.