KATHMANDU, 12 August 2021, (TON): Eight villages in Doti district are at a high risk of being swept away by Seti River. Although walls with gabion wire are built along the river, the erosion has not stopped.

The human settlements of Barpata, Ghopghat, Kalaghad, Sirkholi Sain, Dipayal, Gholtada and Naridhang are at high risk of being washed away by the river. Due to the risk of erosion, the villagers of the risky areas are forced to keep vigil throughout the night to avoid possible danger, claimed locals.

Water-induced Disaster Control Office, Dipayal, spends a huge budget every year to manage levee with gabion wire to control the river, but in vain, said Dil Bahadur Bhandari of Pipalla from Silgadhi Municipality-4.

"Millions of budget is spent every year, but the structures are swept away by the flood every time, cutting the land. It is worrying to all villagers here.

"Every year, the Seti River changes its course during monsoon floods, alarming the settlements nearby. When the Seti river is raging the locals cannot but worry about their wellbeing, informed Laxman Saud, a local from Sirkholi of Silgadhi-1.

Similarly, the locals from Banleg from Shikhar Municipality-10 and 11 are also anxious during the monsoon and they have to remain alert all night.Ram Bahadur Karki from Kalgadh of Shikhar Municipality-2 complained as the concerned bodies failed to control the river erosion, the settlements of Dipayal, Banidugrisain, Sirkholisain, Kalagadh, Rampur, Gerupani, Gholtada Nadirang were facing the continued threat.

He shared "the land near the river is eroded every time the river changes its course. But there are no concrete steps taken to address this serious issue.”