By Chitra Mijar
Sindhupalchowk, July 27: The Tatopani area of the northern border of Sindhupalchowk has become as remote as Karnali. In just two months, the area has lost most of its connections to the outside world, with its road, communication and development works severely compromised.
The months of June and July were devastating for Tatopani, with floods in Bhotekoshi and other rivers claiming many lives, causing huge property loss and cutting off road networks – making the area as inaccessible and remote as the far-flung corners of Karnali.
The roads connecting Tatopani with the capital are completely closed. One can’t even walk to Barhabise because the floods have blocked or washed away all the paths, said local Sarki Lama.
According to Sanjeev Shrestha, a resident of Chaku Bazar, floods have also washed away the concrete bridge at Khagdal connecting Nepal and China at the Tatopani border point. 200 metres of blacktopped road near the Area Police Office has also been swept away. Various roads connecting border points at Shirishe, Jambu, Bulkute, Naya Pul, Chaku, Baseri, Dash Kilo and Daklang have also been damaged. This has stopped all vehicle and human traffic.
Floods and landslides have made the soil in these areas vulnerable. The ground has cracked in Mahabhir, Chaku, Elmo Thadokhola, Jhyale Khola and Bulkute Khola.
“There are cracks everywhere on the road from Barhabise to Tatopani because of the floods and landslides,” said Sang Dorje Sherpa, chairman of Bhotekoshi Gaunpalika Ward No. 3, adding: “There is no electricity either. We have no power when the sun doesn’t shine.”
He further explained the situation: “Telecom towers have been damaged and we have not had phone connections for the past two weeks. We are also running out of food.”
The people of Tatopani have virtually been blockaded and are leading a very hard life, he said.
Despite all this, neither the local nor the State and federal governments seem to have done anything to help the people here.