Submit your Article

The floods and landslides that struck in September 2024 have left a trail of devastation at Nabughat in Manthali Municipality, Ramechhap district, destroying farmland, vegetation, and the livelihoods of countless families. Among the hardest hit is Neeta Majhi, whose 15 ropani fields were completely washed away by the Sunkoshi flood. Neeta, who lives with her seven-member family, including four school-going children and elderly in-laws, now faces an uncertain future. With no food or income, she is forced to borrow money to buy rice and other essentials, leaving her anxious and overwhelmed. “I don’t know where to go or what to do to feed my family,” she says, her voice filled with despair.

Neeta’s plight is shared by approximately 50 families in the Jhurupp Majhi settlement, located in the southeastern corner of Manthali Municipality-6. The flood has left the community in ruins, with fields buried under sand and crops destroyed. “September 28 was a black day for Nabughat,” says Badri Bahadur Majhi, a local resident. “The flood buried everyone’s fields and crops. Now, all that remains is a vast expanse of sand. We can’t even tell where our land used to be.” Standing amidst the sandbanks, Badri gestures helplessly, trying to identify the boundaries of his lost farmland. “This is where my land used to lie,” he says, pointing to the heaps of sand around him. “But now, it’s all gone.”

The Sunkoshi flood has left behind deep ditches and towering sand dunes, rendering the once-fertile land unusable. Chakra Bahadur Majhi, another local, explains the challenges of reclaiming the land. “If we can clear the sand and prepare the land, we might be able to cultivate it again,” he says. However, the task is daunting. Unlike other areas where the Koshi River has receded, leaving behind cultivable land, Nabughat’s fields remain buried under layers of sand and debris. The community’s hopes are pinned on restoring the land to its former productivity, but progress has been slow.

Last year, locals successfully grew watermelons on the advice of agricultural technicians, and this year, they hope to do the same. “We’ll plant watermelons again,” says Chakra. “What else can we do? We just hope the land will be ready in time.” The community believes that beneath the nearly 500 ropanis of sand lies the fertile soil of their former farmland. In hopes of reclaiming it, they have appealed to Manthali Municipality for assistance. The municipality has allocated Rs 600,000 for sand removal and land restoration, but Ward Chairman Ashok Tamang admits it is insufficient. “The budget isn’t enough to clear the sand and restore the land,” he says. “We’re waiting for additional funds to start the work.”

The flood has also destroyed the irrigation infrastructure, compounding the challenges faced by the community. Wells, pipes, and cement-lined canals have been washed away, while electricity poles lie half-buried or broken. “First, we need to reclaim the land, then we can focus on rebuilding the irrigation system,” says Kale Majhi, a local elder and former public representative. “This is a disaster. The Koshi, which had never reached Nabughat before, has now devastated our village.” Kale, who has witnessed decades of change in the region, is deeply concerned about the future. “We’ve never faced anything like this,” he says. “The flood has taken everything from us.”

Four months after the flood, the community feels abandoned. “No one has come to help us,” laments Kale Majhi. Whenever outsiders visit the village, he hopes for relief, but so far, the community has received little support. “All we’ve gotten is a sack of rice,” he says. The lack of assistance has left the people of Nabughat feeling forgotten and hopeless. “We’ve lost our land, our crops, and our livelihoods,” says Neeta Majhi. “We don’t know how we’ll survive.”

The road to recovery is long and uncertain for the people of Nabughat. While the community remains resilient, the challenges they face are immense. Reclaiming the land, rebuilding infrastructure, and restoring livelihoods will require significant resources and support. For now, the Majhi community clings to hope, determined to rebuild their lives despite the odds. “We’ve faced hardships before, but this is the hardest,” says Badri Bahadur Majhi. “We’ll keep fighting, but we can’t do it alone. We need help.”

The Martyrs Day is being celebrated by organizing various programs across the country today.

The Day is observed in memory of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the sake of the country and people.

At different times of history, many people fought for liberty, freedoms and democracy and got martyrdom in Nepal. In commemoration and tribute to them, week-long programs are being organized every year.

In 2012BS, then Kathmandu Municipality began coordinating the programs organized in honor of the martyrs. It has continued till date.

In response to the demand of democracy, civic rights and liberty, Shukra Raj Shastri was executed by then autocratic Rana regime at Pachali, Kathmandu on Magh 10, 1997; Dharma Bhakta Mathema at Siphal, Kathmandu on Magh 13 and Ganga Lal Shrestha and Dasharath Chanda at Shova Bhagawati, Kathmandu on Magh 15 the same year.

Meanwhile, President Ram Chandra Paudel said that true condolences to the martyrs would be to move forward towards meeting the aspiration for sustainable peace, good governance, development and prosperity by means of the federal democratic republican governance system achieved from the sacrifice of the great martyrs.

The President expressed the belief that the Martyrs Day would give further inspiration for sincerely fulfilling the role we all have to play from our side to materialize the aspirations of the martyrs while highly regarding their sacrifices.

"On the occasion of the Martyrs Day, 2081 BS, I extend my heartfelt tribute to all the known and unknown martyrs, including the great martyrs Shukraraj Shastri, Dharma Bhakta Mathema, Dashrath Chand, Gangalal Shrestha, who gave their valuable life for establishing civic freedom and democracy, and for protection of nationality," he said.

President Paudel noted that the Martyrs Day is a day of special remembrance of the great martyrs who sacrificed their life for the country.

"Sacrificing one's precious life for the welfare of the people and the nation is martyrdom. May this Day inspire and encourage all the political parties, the general public and all concerned to dedicate their heart, words and deeds to realize the aspirations of the martyrs who have attained martyrdom for the independence of the Nation and the Nepali people," the President said in his message.

In light of the recent political situation in the United States, the United Nepali Political Action Committee (UNPAC) has appealed to the Nepalis in the US to immediately reach out for assistance or legal consultations if they face any issues. Operating as a non-profit organization with approval from the US government, UNPAC has been providing support to the Nepali American community in various challenging circumstances. 

“The problems faced by the Nepali American community are our problems as well,” said UNPAC Chairperson Adrian Pokhrel. “We are committed to working together to find solutions and resolve these issues.” Many prominent Nepali Americans from various sectors are part of UNPAC.

Experts have stressed the critical need to conserve the Chure region for the prosperity of Madhesh.

During a two-day orientation on "Chure conservation and development", organized by the Specialized Research Center of the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), in Madhesh Province at Bardibas, experts noted that daily life in Madhesh is closely linked to the Chure region, and its conservation is a shared responsibility.

On the first day of the event, Dr. Sohan Prasad Shah, Vice Chair of the Madhesh Province Policy and Planning Commission, said that the livelihood of the people in Madhesh is interconnected with the Chure in many ways, including energy, drinking water, environment, and irrigation.

He stressed that the conservation of the Chure should be the priority of all. On the concluding day, Dr. Nagendra Prasad Yadav, an expert in the field, stressed the need to assess the challenges facing the Chure and the obstacles to its conservation.

He urged the three-tier government and relevant stakeholders to implement planned programs to find sustainable solutions for the issues affecting the Chure.

Experts pointed out that the Chure is a source of natural heritage and that clear policies are required for the responsible utilization of these resources for human benefit, with proper implementation.

Dr. Binod Bhatta, an expert on Chure and climate change, moderated a session titled "Chure Conservation: Whose Concern, Whose Responsibility?" and presented a working paper on the topic.

Another expert, Nagdev Yadav, gave a presentation on successful local-level practices to conserve the Chure region and mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change on the forests, watersheds, and surrounding areas.

His presentation highlighted the control of rivulets along the Chure hills, water refilling ponds, landslide control, and afforestation practices. Experts emphasized that Chure conservation efforts should be based on applied science.

Dr. Rabindra Prasad Dhakal, NAST Secretary was also present at the event.