We saw wild rains nationwide resulting massive floods and landslides. Hundreds of people died, many disappeared and hundreds have been injured. The Kathmandu Valley, the capital city of the country, is said to have a facilitated area from all means. Unfortunately, the Valley experienced a heavy casualties and damages due to the excessive floods following heavy unseasonal rains. The Kathmanduites are debating on settlements 20 miters and 40 miters away from the rivers. The Supreme Court gave an order to maintain 40 miters distance from rivers while constructing settlements, meanwhile, the government is intended to go to the court against its previous order. Already, locals encroached rivers and constructed houses around the river catchment area. In result, such constructions have been inundated from the floods. Experts say, massive landslides have caused due to the unplanned construction of roads and operating dozer randomly in the name of development. During the Panchayat days, settlements nearby the rivers were restricted. After introduction of the multiparty democracy in 1990, the land-mafias became active and reduced the settlement area by 20 miters from the river. Also, the then government had restricted settlements in the Dol area as the area was considered to be fertile and agricultural land, the democratic government, under the influence of the land-mafias, a new land policy was introduced. In result, the Kathmanduites are suffering today.

Moreover, such unseasonal rains, strong typhoon in different parts of the globe, aircraft facing unexpected massive turbulence, could be the cause of global warming. Unexpected floods due to the burst of glacier ponds and rising of the sea level are obviously caused by the global warming due to the anti-natural activities of the human beings.

The present natural calamities are just an alarm from the nature. If the human beings continue to neglect such alarms, it is sure, they are inviting crisis for existence to our coming generations. All the human beings in the globe should take these issues seriously.

Kathmandu Metropolis City’s Mayor Balen is right that rivers have followed its path and those who encroached the river area, have suffered.

Source : https://www.peoplesreview.com.np/2024/10/02/an-alarm-from-the-nature/