Lamahi: Construction of a makeshift embankment along the Rapti River has begun to prevent flooding in the nearby settlements. The construction activities have been forwarded through People’s Embankment Programme, Lamahi, Dang, in a bid to protect more than two dozen villages of Raptisonari, Narainapur, and Duduwa rural municipalities.
According to National News Agency Nepal, a team of technicians led by the Project Chief of People’s Embankment Programme, Dr. Narayan Subedi, has been constructing an emergency embankment by adopting bamboo piling technology. This initiative aims to prevent floodwaters from entering the settlements. The construction has been ongoing for the past week after identifying vulnerable areas.
Dr. Subedi explained that temporary embankments are also being built in Dhalaiya of Raptisonari rural municipality-6, Piprahawa of ward no 7, Khalla Jhagadiya, Devpurwa, Sonbarsha of Narainapur rural municipality, Gangapur, and the western part of Duduwa rural municipality to reduce flood risk. Although a tender was announced in the month of Jesth for the construction of a concrete embankment, progress was hindered due to a lack of budget and available pebbles.
“The encroachment of the Rapti River puts around 30,000 locals at high risk. So the embankments are being constructed for the time being to lessen the risks,” stated Nepali Congress Constituency President, Poshan KC.