Concerns have been raised that municipalities in Rasuwa, which were severely affected by the Bhote Koshi flood, have been overshadowed as government mechanisms, organizations, and the private sector have focused their rescue and relief efforts on Nuwakot.
The government has declared 15 local levels affected by the devastating flood on Bhadra 10 as ‘disaster-stricken areas.’ Four out of five municipalities in Rasuwa are on the list of disaster-stricken areas.
Uttargaya, Gosaikunda, Kalika, and Amachhodingmo rural municipalities in Rasuwa are on the list of disaster-stricken areas. Among the four in Rasuwa, Uttargaya Rural Municipality suffered the most damage after Gosaikunda.
According to the 2078 (2021/2022) census, Uttargaya Rural Municipality has a total population of 8,555. So far, precise figures for the deceased and missing persons have not been released. The exact data for local citizens of Uttargaya, as well as workers from other areas, pilgrims, and those affected in power plants, has not been disclosed.
Public representatives and the Chief Administrative Officer are continuously urging the central government for relief and rescue efforts.
Challenges in Rescue and Data Collection
According to Jayaram Upreti, Chief Administrative Officer of Uttargaya Rural Municipality, precise details of the citizens’ condition in Ward No. 1 have not yet been collected. This area, awaiting rescue, is also known as the Tiru region, located across and above Trishuli. Major settlements in Uttargaya, including Mailung, Salletar, Simle, Pahirebesi, Betrawati, Kaidletar, and Naubise, have sustained damage.
Chief Administrative Officer Upreti stated that information has been received that 150 flood victims are awaiting rescue there. He said, “There is no phone contact. Without electricity, it’s impossible to charge devices.”
With all means of communication cut off, the exact status of casualties or survivors remains uncertain.
According to the 2078 census, Ward No. 1 of Uttargaya has 1,176 residents. Among them, data on the condition of those who were at home during the flood has not been released. Chief Administrative Officer Upreti stated, “Since no settlements remain and there is no contact, the number of missing persons could not be determined.”
Efforts are underway to gather data on parents from children who survived the flood. The option of collecting information from children to determine the number of missing persons was put forward, but this method also failed to yield precise figures.
The administration attempted to learn about the parents of children who survived in the Khalte area. In Uttargaya Rural Municipality, data has been collected indicating that the mothers and fathers of 40 children are missing.
The number of children with only one parent (either mother or father) is 27. “This is the current data we have. This number may increase,” said Chief Administrative Officer Upreti.
Extensive Damage and Reconstruction Hurdles
All offices in Uttargaya have been swept away by the flood, leaving no trace. The rural municipality office building and two ward offices have been completely damaged by the flood. Two community schools and one boarding school have also been completely destroyed. Buildings of the community health, animal husbandry, and agricultural service offices were also swept away by the flood.
Even though the government has listed it as a disaster-stricken area, the process of constructing new buildings is not easy. Construction work cannot proceed quickly as all procurement procedures must be completed before building construction can begin.
“Only we, the individuals, remain in the name of the office. We have reached ground zero,” said Chief Administrative Officer Upreti. “To re-establish the rural municipality, procurement processes must be completed again.” Public representatives from Uttargaya have started visiting ministers and secretaries for building construction and vehicle procurement.
Relief Operations and Hydropower Projects
Holding centers have been established in four locations—Shivalaya, Shantibazar, Bhimsensthan, and Kalika—to accommodate those rescued. Two meals and snacks are being provided. Ward chairpersons of Ward No. 2 and 3 arrived there today, intending to stay in their respective wards. Health workers, teachers, and ward secretaries are operating these holding centers in those wards.
“We are working according to international practices on what should be prioritized after a disaster,” Upreti said. “We have made maximum efforts within the limits of the local level’s resources, knowledge, capacity, and discretion.”
Upreti stated that it is difficult to ascertain the number of missing persons or casualties because the ward chairpersons themselves are in distress. Since yesterday, food supplies have started reaching Ward No. 4 and 5 after an alternative road route to Uttargaya was established. It has been informed that only four-wheel-drive vehicles can use this road.
Uttargaya has large and small hydropower projects under construction. The 216 MW Upper Trishuli-1 Hydropower Project is under construction in this rural municipality. More than a thousand workers are employed in this project.
Even after five days, the search for missing persons has not been effective, leading relatives of workers to stage a protest today at the construction company. Relatives of the missing workers protested at the Thapathali office of the construction company, Nepal Water and Energy Development Company (NWEDC).
This rural municipality also hosts other hydropower projects, including Upper Mailung Khola, Mailung Khola, Upper Mailung ‘A’, Middle Mailung, and Upper Mailung-B.
