PremNagar is not far from the Karnali river. In 2007 and 2008, the annual floods were called “one in a hundred year” events. Water flooded PremNagar, but it did not flood the old school. The school was used as a shelter for many who had to leave their homes because of the rising water.
2009 was a dry year with the monsoon very much below normal. On August 17, 2009, the Karnali rose, and this time even the old school had a foot of water in it. The rest of PremNagar did not do well etiher. Food, clothes, and many other provisions were lost. A layer of mud covered everything. A water buffalo drifted away but was found 500 meters from his home. Food is often stored in houses in large clay urns. This protects the food from insects and vermin, but water damaged these containers and destroyed food supplies.
The local leaders started relief efforts. We were able to use resources already in Nepal to obtain food and get PremNagar families some immediate help in addition to the one kilogram of food given by the government.
Simrahine is a village 10 kilometers from Tikapur. The river destroyed much of the village in which 24 families live. One 60-year-old man died. The village also lost a goat and water buffaloes, and the people had to live under trees for shelter. Friends in Goa, India have raised and sent funds for immediate relief in Simrahine.
Comments