Lalitpur flood victims in mobilize to manage salvaged belongings

KATHMANDU: The continuous rainfall that began on Friday has caused severe flooding in the Bagmati River, resulting in significant loss of life and property in various areas of the Kathmandu Valley.

In Lalitpur, the communities along the Nakkhu River near Tika Bhairav have been completely submerged. Homes, shops, and residences have been inundated, severely disrupting daily life and business activities.

Residents living along the riverbank have reported that their shelters and belongings have been swept away by the rising waters.

As the flow of the Nakkhu River diminished on Saturday evening, flood-affected individuals began to manage their wet belongings.

Efforts are currently underway to remove mud from homes, shops, and buildings that were inundated. Many residents have reported losing valuable possessions, including motorcycles and cars, to the floods.

Renuka Limbu, a resident of Lalitpur Metropolitan City-18 near Nakkhu Pul, stated that the floodwaters had swept away her six pigs and 70 ducks, as well as local chickens. “Water entered our room at midnight on Friday. We were trying to move our belongings to safety when the water level rose, and by 7 AM, everything was gone. It’s not just us; many others have suffered significant losses,” she shared.

The flooding has also damaged the bridge connecting Nakkhu Dol and Bhainsepati in Lalitpur Ward No. 25, leading to a suspension of traffic in the area. Temporary shelters near the Nakkhu Dol bridge have been completely washed away.

Residents are currently seeking assistance from relatives to manage their flood-damaged belongings. Local resident Rom Rana reported that their nursery and all the materials in their temporary shelter, worth approximately Rs 1.3 million, have been swept away.

“We were aware that a flood might come according to the news, but we weren’t in a position to move our belongings immediately. When the water entered the room at night, we could only manage to retrieve important documents before everything else was swept away. Now, we are worried about what to eat and where to stay. For now, we are staying with relatives,” he explained.

In addition, five shops in Nakkhu Dol have been washed away. Locals are struggling to assess the total damage due to the complete loss of inventory from the temporary shops. Flood victim Narayan Sunuwar expressed his distress: “I am a laborer trying to make a living. All my tools and materials have been swept away. Now, I am worried about where to live and what to eat. Until now, no relief has been provided. Although we saved our lives, we have lost all our clothes and essential items.”

Ganesh KC, the ward chairman of Lalitpur Metropolitan City-13, stated that efforts are being made to restore electricity, water supply, and roads in the affected areas. “We are very saddened by the damage caused by the Nakkhu River. We are prioritizing the restoration of obstructed roads, electricity, and drinking water supply,” he said.