TOPICS: Flood control

Flood is the result of excessive rain or snowmelt. It is one of the natural disasters in Nepal.

Steep mountain slopes, poor land use practices and acute shortage of firewood are contributing more to floods in Nepal every year.

The damage is increasing mainly due to human action toward disturbing the ecological balance and human inaction and flood preparedness and prevention.

The past experience in many parts of the world has shown that the structural flood control measures as a means of reducing flood damage have been effective for medium and small-sized floods; but they are of little value for the control of every large and rare events.

The damage can be much more disastrous if the structure fails.

Till now, the general conception of accomplishing the prevention and safeguard of flood loss has been the structural control measures, which are mainly the construction of dams or dykes to regulate or control the flood flow.

However, the basic question here is whether the structural flood control methods, which are favored for many years, are fully satisfactory or not.

The major constraint associated with structural flood control methods are the increasing cost of construction and the rising environmental concern. The channelization of flood flow at upstream can cause detrimental effect by increasing flood peaks in downstream flood plains.

The construction of dams can have some value only if the benefit is shared in a regional basis with neighboring countries since the flood protection with this approach is useful for areas much more downstream.

The magnitude of floods directly depends on the rainfall capacity of watersheds. Hence, the best approach to reduce the flood peaks would be to conserve the water where it falls.

The massive deforestation and the unscientific land use are believed to be the main reason behind increasing flood peaks in recent years. The solution lies in increasing the rainwater retention capacity of the watershed by formulating and implementing proper management policies.

Actually, effective watershed management is possible only if the land users are willing to cooperate well.

If they realize that the top soil is vital for better production and if they protect it by consuming the rainwater falling on their farms, the result would be better than what the governments of many countries could achieve by spending huge funds in flood control.

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BLOG SURF: A trip of fortune

Last time, we swept up Santetsu; today, we pick up our journey wandering Geibiki, before heading up the mountain-side to explore Chson-ji Temple.

The group alighted at the turning point for a short walk through the gorge.

The cliffs on either side that lead you through are impressive, and end with the location’s namesake – a limestone formation known as ‘Geibi’ or ‘lions nose’. The towering cliffs for Geibeki.

Many thanks to Leandro Ishioka for this photograph.

While walking along the riverbank near Geibi, we came across an opening in the rocky cliff face opposite. Visitors can attempt to throw ‘undama’ or ‘luck stones’ and have their wishes fulfilled, if they manage to hit the target hole.

You can purchase five stones for ¥100; there is a kanji character inscribed on each stone representing luck, love, health, career and study.

Very few of us however, managed to land the stones inside – let’s hope that’s not a bad omen!.

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LETTERS: Oli rises above all

Politics is all about power game. Nobody can remain in power particularly in a parliamentary democracy where the prime minster has to secure the backing of the majority of the lawmakers.

If s/he loses support of the majority of the lawmakers s/he cannot remain in power no matter whether s/he is popular among the people.

PM KP Oli also had to step down after he lost support of a majority of the lawmakers in the hung parliament.

Since he took the office of prime minister nine months ago Oli did his best to bail the country out of the chaos, economic blockade and prolonged agitation in Tarai-Madhes.

He also tried his best to safeguard the national interest and sovereignty as well as reached a landmark agreement with the northern neighbor for transit and transport in a bid to end over dependency on a single country for trade and transit.

His government presented a fiscal budget that can be the bedrock for economic progress, growth and sustainable self-reliant economy.

Now, the challenges for the new government is to give continuation to the programmes launched by the erstwhile government whose major achievement is to diversify the trade by opening up trade and transit routes to its northern neighbour.

Saroj Wagle, Bara

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Janakpur

I want to draw the attention of the officials of the Janakpur Municipality towards increasing pollution in the religious city.

Over population and haphazard industrialization, lack of drainage system and awareness among the people about the importance of sanitation and cleanliness are the major causes of pollution.

The municipality does not have any concrete plan of collecting and disposing of the garbage produced in the city area. On the other hand, people throw garbage everywhere; use open space or roadsides to empty their bowel.

Cattle are also seen prowling here and there and old vehicles belch poisonous smoke deteriorating the air quality.

Local hospitals are crowded with people afflicted by pollution, improper sanitation and water logging that acts as a breeding ground for mosquitoes, dengue and Japanese encephalitis.

Janakpurdham is one of the ancient cities in the plains and is also the maternal home of Sita, the wife of Ram.

There are several sarovars (lakes), Hindu monuments and temples that add beauty to the city and surrounding areas. Thousands of people from Nepal and India visit the city during the Sita-Ram Bivaha Panchami.

This city can be developed as one of the Hindu religious sites just like Ayodhya, Mathura and Brindavan, provided that the concerned authority, including the Comprehensive Janakpurdham Development Trust, work sincerely for its overall development.

The budget allocated annually for the development of Janakpurdham must be utilized properly.

Swarnim Lal Karna, Janakpurdham

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VIRGO – July 26

Your fine-tuned ability to detach will take you far right now. You know how to tell someone that you have had enough. Your sense of humor and depth allow you to communicate what you are seeing in a way that is palatable to others.

Tonight: Enjoy some great music.

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TAURUS – July 26

You might decide to be more active. You will get a great response from others as a result. Follow what you feel is the best path, and you will be OK with the results. A friend or loved one could be reactive. Know that this, too, will pass.

Tonight: Do what you have been putting off.

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SCORPIO – July 26

You could be too tired to continue at your present pace, especially as others seem to demand more and more. You might decide to throw in the towel. You are likely to head out the door with the urge to make a meaningful decision.

Tonight: Know that you don’t have to agree with someone.

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SAGITTARIUS – July 26

Throw yourself into work or whatever responsibilities demand your attention. A new friend is quirky, and he or she might decide to do the unexpected. Maintain a sense of humor as you attempt to see where this person is coming from.

Tonight: Squeeze in some exercise.

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