Koshi disaster: It is time to act
For two weeks of havoc that Koshi flood wreaked in the eastern district of Sunsari, the governments Nepal and India failed to start works to stop further degradation of the embankment but continue to exchange words over who is responsible for the disaster that has displaced over 50,000 in Nepal and over a million in India.
Many VVIPs made their visits to the affected areas yet the displaced people have not found their solace. Reports say the continued visits by the government officials, ministers, president or vice president have nothing to add to the relief of the victims but to add woes to their life – rather affecting the distribution of relief materials.
The Indian side seemed to have given less attention despite repeated requests from Nepali side through its embassy in Kathmandu and this prompted Nepal to make its own efforts. On Wednesday, Nepali technicians began the reconstruction of spurs on the damaged embankment. Nepal’s efforts began the following day new Defense Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa said the government would not wait anymore for the India to start repair works. Fortunately, the Indian team that demanded security while in work joined the mission to rebuild the dam Thursday. The Indian technical team arrived Wednesday but failed to begin the work as mandated.
On the other hand, another a senior minister said complete repair of the Saptakohi embankment is impossible. Minister for Agriculture and Cooperatives Jaya Prakash Gupta said Wednesday that technicians will find it tough task to divert Koshi River to its usual course.
Demands have been raised and government made its commitment to institute a commission to identify who should be held responsible for the collapse of the embankment that has not been repaired since it was constructed 54 years ago.
On Wednesday, an Indian minister admitted the mistake on the part of India for the havoc. Lalu Yadav, union railway minister and an influential leader from Bihar, said the Bihar government failed to act according to the recommendations made by technicians in June for immediate repair of the embankment. A team of Indian technicians had conducted studies of the bank in lastOctober.
According to passengers traveling Mahendra Highway and the local residents, the Koshi water had started surging over the barrage bridge two days before the embankment caved in. Both Nepal and India failed to take necessary caution in the wake of looming disaster.
The only effort made so far by Nepal is to provide emergency aid to the flood victims, which is too insufficient and the distribution process has been too sluggish. Donation is pouring from across the country whereas little has been done to deliver the aid to the victims. Media, INGOs and NGOs, political parties, women groups, clubs communist groups, bureaucrats, international community have come forward to make donations for the victims. India, interestingly, neither has spoken about the flood victims in Nepal not getting enough support; could be due to India facing similar havoc in Bihar affected even more population. Additionally, Indians have also traveled to Sunsari in search of relief materials.
Vice President Pramananda Jha while talking to victims in Sunsari Wednesday assured of action against those responsible for the disaster. Few days back, CPN (UML) had also called for action against those responsible for the disaster. Parties, ministers and experts blamed India for the tragedy and demanded that India initiate repair work without delay.
According to Koshi agreement between Nepal and India, India will have to look after the construction, repair and rebuilding of the embankment and barrage.
But it looks rather tricky as to who should be held responsible for the breakage. The possible negotiation between Nepal and India during the visit of Foreign Minister Upendra Yadav to New Delhi to attend the BIMSTEC meeting would help find a way to address the problem. However, it is unlikely that both the governments would accept the mistakes on their part, which led to this summer. The fact is that both governments share responsibility. Blaming each other for the damage will not resolve the problem.
It is now time to stop the blame game and start working. The victims desperately need resettlement in new places and relief support for another few months while repair works should start immediately. If the situation is not taken seriously, the Koshi disaster is certain to invite more havoc in future.
Published in Nepalnews.com