Dolpa dist HQ, Dunai, at high risk of floods

Dolpa (Dunai) - Headquarters of the Dolpa District, Dunai, is at high risk of flooding with the onset of monsoon every year. 

The water level in the river starts to rise during the rainy season, increasing the chances of bank erosion and flooding in the district headquarters that is situated right close to the river. 

The flow of water in the Bheri river these days is more than 150 thousand cusecs. Although Dunai, at an altitude of 2,085 metres from the mean sea level, is under high risk of flood, the bodies concerned have not paid due attention to flood and and river bank erosion control measures on a sustainable basis. 

Dunai lies in the rain-shadow are and it receives scant rainfall even in the monsoon. But the melting of the snow in the mountains where the river originates leads to the increase in the water level in the river. 

"The people in Dunai are worried with the onset of monsoon and they cannot sleep well," said one Yogendra Budha, a local. Dunai's population is 2,700. The locals get panicky with the daily increase in the water level of the river, he added. 

Besides the risk of flooding and river bank erosion, Dunai also faces the risk of landslide occurring from the hill slopes above at times of torrential rain. Since there are high hills around Dunai and the hill slopes have loose soil, the chances of mudslides are high when it rains much.